How to Change the Language in PowerPoint

Need to change PowerPoint’s app language? Want to expand your presentation content beyond borders? It’s time to learn how to change language in PowerPoint in this tutorial.

This tutorial covers two key skills:

1. how to change language in PowerPoint menus
2. how to change language for PPT content (this includes PowerPoint’s built-in change language PPT feature)

Let’s dive in!

How to Change Language in PowerPoint’s Settings

There are two distinct language change options for PowerPoint:

1. Change the authoring language. This tells PowerPoint what language you work in. It affects the spellcheck and autocorrect options. It doesn’t change the appearance of the app itself.
2. Change the system or display language. This alters the language that the app uses in the interface and menus. On Windows, you can set this in PowerPoint as an app-level setting. On macOS, you’ll need to change the system language.

In this tutorial, we’ll cover the instructions to change language PPT settings. You’ll see all these options explained for both Windows and macOS. Read on to learn both skills.

Throughout this tutorial, you’ll see me work with a premium PowerPoint template. We’ll use the Minimal Maska template from Envato Elements. It’s got plenty of slides that you can use for great design. Download it now and follow along with our tutorial.

How to Change Language in PowerPoint (Windows Guide)

If you’re a Windows user, this section is for you. Let’s cover how to update both the authoring and system language for total control.

1. Change the PowerPoint Authoring Language on Windows

The authoring settings control how PowerPoint spellchecks and autocorrects your presentation. Think of it as the language the app uses for the content review, not the menus and settings.

To set this, find the Review tab on PowerPoint’s ribbon. Then, choose the Language dropdown and select Language Preferences.

Now, we’re going to alter the Office authoring languages and proofing settings. The bottom panel controls this setting. Use the Add a Language button to browse for your selected language. You might be amazed by how many languages are included in this menu!

Now, click Install. PowerPoint will go to work downloading the additional language file. Click on it from the list and choose Set as Preferred to lock it in for the app’s language. 

2. Change the Display Language on Windows

If you work in PowerPoint, it helps to feel at home in the app. That includes setting the menu to your language of preference. Let’s learn how to update a key PowerPoint setting to do that.

Your system settings influence the settings that your app uses. If your Windows preferences are set to Spanish, your apps will appear in Spanish.

You could always change your Windows language settings from the system settings. But in our case, let’s learn how to change PowerPoint’s language settings independently. Unlike macOS, PowerPoint on Windows supports changing this setting at the app level.

Let’s explore how to add another language to PowerPoint’s Display Language. Go to the File > Options menu and find the Language Settings. By default, PowerPoint follows your system language.

But you may wish to install another language setting. This time, click on Add a Language in the Office display language setting. Browse to a new language and choose Install.

There’s one last step after you use the Install options. You’ll likely be prompted to restart PowerPoint. Make sure you save your work, then restart PowerPoint. Follow this so that your change language PPT preferences take effect.

You’re ready to work in your language of choice. From the right-click menu to the ribbon, everything is translated. Don’t forget that you can always return to the same menu to add more languages and change preferences.

How to Change Language in PowerPoint (macOS Guide)

Are you a macOS user? We’ve got you covered with instructions for how to change language in PowerPoint as well.

1. Change the PowerPoint Authoring Language on macOS

First, let’s tackle how to change the app’s language on macOS. This won’t change the menu labels, but rather the way it reviews the content in your presentation.

On macOS, the settings menu lives at the top of your screen. Browse to the Tools > Language menu at the top of your screen to adjust the language.

Now, you’ll see a new window pop up titled Language. This is your selection of the active dictionary to use. Choose a language from the list to make the change.

Then, click Set as Default. This changes the review settings to the selected language by default. If you don’t have the selected language currently installed, PowerPoint prompts you to download it.

2. Change the Display Language on macOS

Remember that the setting we changed only controls how the app scans your content. If you want to localize your PowerPoint app, you need to change the system language setting on macOS.

On macOS, access your System Preferences by clicking on the Apple menu in the upper left corner. Then find Language & Region on the System Preferences panel.

Now, you can add a language. Press the + button on the Preferred languages panel, then browse to your language of choice. Make sure it’s at the top of the list on the left side.

With this setting locked in, you’ll need to restart PowerPoint. Close the app and reopen it, and now you should see your language of choice on every menu.

Your PowerPoint menus and settings are now updated. It’s a great way to work in your preferred language or sharpen your skills in the language you’re learning.

How to Localize Your PowerPoint Presentation (Translate Your Content)

So far, we’ve focused on how to change language in PowerPoint itself. That means setting our options so that the menus are localized.

But that leaves out a major part of localization. Let’s learn how to change language for PPT content. We’re going to translate the content itself. 

This is a powerful skill set. It means that audiences from across the world can access and learn from the slides we create. Consider translating your presentation, then share it online. You never know who the presentation might reach. 

Learn more about how to share your presentation online with the help of this tutorial:

• 

  How to Share Your PowerPoint Presentation Online (For Free)

  

  Andrew Childress

  22 Aug 2022

In the past, you might have done a ton of copying and pasting from an online translator. Did you know that you can skip this altogether?

You can change language in PPT content with the built-in Translate function. Let’s learn how.

1. Open the Translate Panel

Let’s browse to the Translate panel. Start by opening the Tools > Translate menu in PowerPoint. This tool controls all the change language PPT features for your content.

You’ll see a new panel open on the right side of PowerPoint. Select a From language that matches your content. You can use the text box below to translate, but let’s skip that option for now.

Then, select your targeted To language. This is the output language, or the language you’re translating to. This built-in tool supports an impressive number of languages. 

Before we move on, I recommend saving your presentation as a copy. Save the file with a name that indicates that it’s written in another language. Use a filename such as “PowerPoint Name-spanish.pptx,” for example. This helps prevent any mix-ups about the version to use and share.

2. Translate Your Text

Now, it’s time to translate the text on the slide. With the Translate panel still open, highlight any text in a box on your presentation slide.

You’ll see a preview of the translated text in the To section of the Translate panel. This is PowerPoint’s translation preview.

If you want to update your box with the suggested translation, simply click on Insert. The preview text you see in the To box is what PowerPoint use. PowerPoint replaces the highlighted text with this newly translated text.

That’s it! These simple steps help you translate your presentation. Of course, you could always double-check the translation with another tool. I prefer to use the DeepL Translate tool as a second source to ensure a great translation.

The Best Source for Top-Notch PowerPoint Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements is the top source for winning PowerPoint templates. For a single flat rate price, you unlock unlimited PowerPoint themes, stock photos, custom fonts, and so much more.

Elements is a value that can’t be matched for creatives. With unlimited downloads, you’ll never break the budget on a project. One subscription unlocks everything you need while you build any PowerPoint presentation.

You can always find free PowerPoint templates and graphic elements around the web. But you’ll spend too much time searching and scouring for them. It’s much more efficient to choose a premium template from Elements’ library.

With Envato Elements, every PowerPoint presentation is quality controlled. Sign up for Elements today to access everything for one flat rate.

Keep Learning Microsoft PowerPoint

There’s no such thing as mastering Microsoft PowerPoint. That’s because the app is extremely deep. It includes a limitless number of features and options.

Now that you know how to change language PPT options, I’ll bet that you want to keep going. We’ve got resources just for that. Check out top tutorials from How to Use PowerPoint (Ultimate Tutorial Guide.)

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  What Is Microsoft PowerPoint? +How to Start Using It For Presentations (Now)

  

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  What Are the Right Dimensions (Size) for Your PowerPoint PPT Slides? (+ Video)

  

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  How to Work With Images in PowerPoint (Complete PPT Picture Guide)

  

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More Top Templates for Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint templates are a presenter’s best friend. With pre-built designs, you get most of the work done for you. You can utilize a template and simply fill it in with your details. Great designs take minutes instead of hours when you start with a template.

See more of the best PowerPoint templates in the links below. You’re sure to find a great design for any occasion.

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  35 Best PowerPoint Template Designs (For 2022 Presentations)

  

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  35+ Top PPT Designs (PowerPoint Premium + Free Templates 2023)

  

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You Just Learned How to Change Language in PowerPoint

You learned the secrets of change language PPT settings. Whether you’re focused on your content or the app itself, you’ve got all the skills you need.

It’s your turn to put your new knowledge of how to change language in PowerPoint to work. Here’s a challenge: take your favorite PowerPoint and localize it for a new audience. Then, share it with others. It’s a great way to practice, plus unlock your content for more people.