Where to find the language setting in Outlook
The language setting in Outlook lives in the same place across Windows and Mac, but the path differs slightly depending on whether you use the desktop app or the web version. On the desktop app for Windows, go to File > Options > Language. On Mac, the menu is Outlook > Preferences > General, then look for Language in the dropdown. If you use Outlook on the web (outlook.com or outlook.office.com), click the gear icon in the top right, select View all Outlook settings, then go to General > Language and time zone.
Once you find the language menu, you will see a dropdown list of available languages. Select the one you want, then save or confirm the change. Outlook will usually ask you to restart the app or refresh the page for the change to take effect.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows desktop, the language setting is under File > Options > Language.
- On Mac desktop, go to Outlook > Preferences > General and find the Language dropdown.
- In Outlook on the web, use the gear icon, then General > Language and time zone.
- After you change the language, restart the app or refresh the page to see the change applied throughout the interface.
What changes when you switch languages
Changing the language in Outlook affects the entire interface — menus, buttons, error messages, and help text will all appear in your chosen language. Your email content itself does not change; only the software's labels and controls switch. If you receive an email written in another language, Outlook will not automatically translate it, but the program's own buttons and settings will be in your selected language.
The language setting also controls the spell-check dictionary and the autocorrect rules Outlook uses. If you switch to Spanish, for example, Outlook will flag English spelling as incorrect and suggest Spanish corrections. You can add multiple dictionaries if you work in more than one language regularly.
Changing language on the web version versus the desktop app
The web version and desktop app store language settings separately. If you change the language in Outlook on the web, it will not automatically change on your desktop app, and vice versa. This means you may need to make the change twice if you use both versions regularly.
The web version is often faster to change because you do not need to restart anything — the page refreshes and the new language appears immediately. The desktop app may take a few seconds longer because it needs to reload its interface files. If the change does not appear right away on desktop, try closing and reopening Outlook completely.
When Outlook shows a language you did not select
Sometimes Outlook displays in a language you did not choose. This usually happens because Windows or macOS itself is set to that language, and Outlook is following the system setting. Check your operating system's language setting first: on Windows, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Language & Region. If your system language matches what you see in Outlook, then Outlook is working correctly.
If your system language is different from what Outlook is showing, restart Outlook after you change the Outlook language setting. Sometimes the app caches the old language and needs a full restart to pick up the new one. If restarting does not work, sign out of your Microsoft account in Outlook, then sign back in — this forces Outlook to reload all its settings from your account.
Adding a second language without changing the main interface
If you want Outlook's interface to stay in English but you need spell-check in another language, you can add a language without making it the default. On Windows, go to File > Options > Language, then look for Add a language or Editing languages. Select the language you want to add for spell-check only. On Mac, this option is under Preferences > General > Editing languages.
Once you add a second language, Outlook will check spelling against both dictionaries. You can right-click a word that Outlook flags and choose which language's rules to apply. This is useful if you write emails in multiple languages but want the interface itself to remain in one language.
Troubleshooting language changes that do not stick
If you change the language but Outlook reverts to the old one after you close and reopen it, the change may not have saved properly. Go back to the language setting and make sure you clicked OK or Save — some versions of Outlook require an explicit save step. On the web version, wait a few seconds after selecting a new language before closing the settings panel, because the change needs time to sync to Microsoft's servers.
If the problem persists, try clearing your browser cache if you use Outlook on the web, or uninstalling and reinstalling the desktop app if you use the Windows or Mac version. Before you do that, sign out of your Microsoft account and note your email address and password so you can sign back in after the reinstall. A fresh install often fixes language settings that have become corrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the language in Outlook change it in other Microsoft Office apps?
No. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook each have their own language setting. You need to change the language separately in each app. However, if you change the language in your Microsoft account settings online, it may set a default for new Office installations, though existing apps will keep their current language.
Can I use Outlook in two languages at the same time?
The interface itself will be in only one language at a time, but you can add multiple spell-check languages. This lets you write in English and Spanish, for example, with Outlook checking both as you type. The menus and buttons will still be in your chosen interface language.
What if my language is not in the Outlook language list?
Outlook supports most major languages, but not all regional variants. If your language is missing, check whether a similar variant is available — for example, Portuguese (Brazil) instead of Portuguese (Portugal). If nothing close matches, you may need to use English or another available language. You can still add your language for spell-check if it is available in Windows or macOS.
Does changing the language in Outlook affect how my emails look to other people?
No. The language setting only changes what you see on your screen. The emails you send will look the same to everyone, regardless of what language your Outlook interface is in. Your recipients will see the email content exactly as you wrote it.