Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text

If you are using a language with a Roman alphabet, such as English or Spanish, you can use the Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text option to change the keyboard language to match the surrounding text in a file. This option changes the keyboard's layout to the language that matches that of the text next to the cursor. For example, if you have a file containing paragraphs in both English and Spanish, and you move your cursor from a paragraph written in English to one written in Spanish, the keyboard layout switches from English to Spanish.

Note: If you want Word or Outlook to automatically detect the language you're typing to enable proofing tools for that language, see Turn on automatic language detection.

Important: Before you can use the Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text option with a language that you haven't previously used in Office, you must enable the keyboard layout language.

2010, 2013, and 2016 versions of OneNote, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word

1. Click File > Options.

2. Click Advanced.

3. Under Editing options, select the Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box.

2010, 2013, and 2016 versions of Outlook

1. Click File > Options.

2. Click Mail.

3. Under Compose messages, click Editor Options.

4. Click Advanced.

5. Under Editing options, select the Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box.

Outlook 2007

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Click the Spelling tab, and then click Spelling and AutoCorrection.

3. Click Advanced.

4. Under Editing options, select Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box.

   Note: The Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box is visible only after you have enabled a keyboard layout language.

PowerPoint 2007 and Word 2007

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click PowerPoint Options or Word Options.

2. Click Advanced.

3. Under Editing options, select the Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box.

   Note: The Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box is visible only after you have enabled a keyboard layout language.

Publisher 2007

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Click the Edit tab.

3. Under Text editing, select the Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box.

   Note: The Automatically switch keyboard to match language of surrounding text check box is visible only after you have enabled a keyboard layout language.

See also

Turn on automatic language detection

Enable or change the keyboard layout language