Change the default input language for Windows

Office uses the default input language in the Windows operating system to determine the default language for Office programs. For example, if the default input language for the Windows operating system is Japanese, the default language for all Office programs is also Japanese.

Important: 

• It is NOT usually necessary to change the Windows input language to work with multiple languages in Office. Most language needs can be met by doing one of the following:

• If you're having trouble with languages and you're not sure if you want to change the language in Windows, read Troubleshoot checking spelling and grammar in multiple languages first.

• Add a language to Office or change the display, Help, and ScreenTip language

• Change the proofing language to check spelling

• Change the keyboard layout language

If you have an Office 365 Home, Personal, or University subscription, or a one-time purchase of Office 2016, and you want to permanently change the language of your Office installation, see Choose or change the language of your Office installation for another option.

Change the default input language for Windows

In Windows 10 and Windows 8 (applies to Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016)

1. From the Start menu, search for Control Panel, and open Control Panel.

2. Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change input methods.

   Note: If you don't see Clock, Language, and Region, click Category in the View by menu at the top of the page.

3. Optional: Click Add a language to add a new language. Select the language you want to add, and click Add.

4. Select your language, click Options, and then click Add an input method to add the input language you want. The default input language will be the first language in your language list.

In Windows 7 (applies to Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016)

1. Click Start > Control Panel.

2. Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change keyboards or other input methods.

   Note: If you don't see Clock, Language, and Region, click Category in the View by menu at the top of the page.

3. In the Region and Language dialog box, on the Keyboards and Languages tab, click Change keyboards.

4. In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, under Default input language, click the language that you want to use as the default language.

   If the language that you want to use as the default input language is not listed, complete Steps 5 through 8.

5. Under Installed services, click Add.

6. Expand the language that you want to use as the default input language, and then expand Keyboard.

7. Select the check box for the keyboard or Input Method Editor (IME) that you want to use, and then click OK. The language is added to the Default input language list.

   To preview the keyboard layout, click Preview.

8. Under Default input language, click the language that you want to use as the default language.

Top of Page

In Windows Vista (applies to Office 2007 and 2010)

1. Click Start > Control Panel.

2. Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change keyboards or other input methods.

   Note: In Classic View, double-click Regional and Language Options, and then click the Keyboards and Languages tab.

3. In the Regional and Language dialog box, on the Keyboards and Languages tab, click Change keyboards.

4. In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, under Default input language, click the language that you want to use as the default language.

   If the language that you want to use as the default input language is not listed, complete Steps 5 through 8.

   Note: The default language that you select is applied to all programs on your computer that use this setting, including programs from other companies.

5. Under Installed services, click Add.

6. Expand the language that you want to use as the default input language, and then expand Keyboard.

7. Select the check box for the keyboard or Input Method Editor (IME) that you want to use, and then click OK. The language is added to the Default input language list.

   To preview the keyboard layout, click Preview.

8. Under Default input language, click the language that you want to use as the default language.

Top of Page

In Windows XP (applies to Office 2007 and 2010)

1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.

2. Click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options, and then click Regional and Language Options.

   Note: In Classic View, double-click Regional and Language Options.

3. In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, click the Languages tab, and then under Text services and input languages, click Details.

4. In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, under Default input language, click the language that you want to use as the default language.

   If the language that you want to use as the default input language is not listed, complete Steps 5 through 7.

   Note: The default language that you select is applied to all programs on your computer that use this setting, including programs from other companies.

5. Under Installed services, click Add.

6. In the Add Input Language dialog box, click the language that you want from the Input language list, and then click OK.

7. Under Default input language, click the language that you want to use as the default language.

Top of Page

See also

Add a language or set language preferences in Office

Check spelling and grammar in a different language in Office

Enable or change the keyboard layout language

Change or set the default font