Word professional 2013 How to set default proofing language

Question

I am using Microsoft Office 2013, particularly Microsoft Word. I am having trouble setting the proofing language i.e. Spell Checking to UK English only.

I have tried deleting the English US language but then My keyboard is wrong since I have a US keyboard.

Now I have, under Review / Language / Language Preferences = English (United Kingdom) <Default>

but under Review / Language / Proofing Languages - both English US and English UK are ticked and I can't change or remove so it now accepts both spellings i.e. center and centre - color and colour.

How can I set my Word so US keyboard works, I only have English UK for proofing / Spell check and I dont't have to change it for every document, I have been frustrated by this for weeks now, please assist, thank you

stefan_blom · Answer

cant-sleep&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In Windows, you should be able to choose the keyboard layout that you want. Admittedly, this is a lot less transparent in recent versions of the operating system. 😞
&nbsp;
Do you see an option in Word to automatically change the language so that it matches your keyboard (or vice versa)? In that case, disable the option. For more, see&nbsp;https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot-checking-spelling-and-grammar-in-multiple-languages-b887ad70-b15a-43f4-89bb-a41d18026e20&nbsp;and&nbsp;http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/MasterSpellCheck.htm.

cant-sleep · Answer

Stefan_BlomI dont know how I got there but I have attached image of proofing languages. somehow I have chinese, US and UK with both UK and US ticked, its doing my head in. Ill check out the links you sent, than

stefan_blom · Answer

cant-sleep&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In the Language dialog box, you will always see all languages that are supported in Word. However, a supported language isn't necessarily installed. Each installed language have a check mark next to it (in the dialog box).&nbsp;
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Do post back with the results once you have had a chance to read the articles. 🙂&nbsp;

cant-sleep · Answer

Stefan_BlomTo be honest, I now find Microsoft Word settings SO convoluted and also dependent on general windows settings. It does so much to predict what you want rather than simply allow you to set what you want.&nbsp; I am still unaware why in languages / proofing I have 3 languages above the double line including Chinese. I am also unaware why both English uk and English US are both checked with a tick. I also cannot see how I change this. I am provided with a dialogue screen with no apparent way of changing the displayed options. I mean what is so difficult about allowing you to click on and change or toggle a setting.&nbsp;I have found a solution though - disable spelling and grammar check (that I can do in the word dialogue box) and add the free Grammarly spell/grammar plug in. It is better and much easier to use and maintain than Microsoft's own.

stefan_blom · Answer

cant-sleep&nbsp;
&nbsp;
When the default proofing language refuses to change, the underlying cause could be that the&nbsp;display language in Windows is different from the&nbsp;desired default proofing language in Office. I have experienced this myself, and I can only assume that it is a bug of some sort. The workaround is to ensure that the Windows display language matches the language you want to use as the default when proofing text in Word.
&nbsp;
The fact that you see more than one "flavor" of English installed at the same time is by design, as far as I know. You seldom (if ever) get only US English, for example.

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Word professional 2013 How to set default proofing language

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