Change 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!

Changing 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.

Changing 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.

Next, 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 download 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

To create a comfortable working environment, it’s important to set the menu to your preferred language. Let’s learn how to update this key PowerPoint setting.

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 this case, let’s learn how to change PowerPoint’s language settings independently, as 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.

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

After using the Install option, you’ll likely be prompted to restart PowerPoint. Make sure you save your work before doing so to ensure 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. You can always return to the same menu to add more languages and change preferences.

Changing 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. Navigate to the Tools > Language menu at the top of your screen to adjust the language.

A new window titled Language will pop up, allowing you to select 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 will prompt 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. To localize your PowerPoint app, you need to change the system language setting on macOS.

To do this, 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, and browse to your language of choice. Ensure it’s at the top of the list on the left side.

After setting this, you’ll need to restart PowerPoint. Close the app and reopen it to see your language of choice reflected in 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.

Localizing Your PowerPoint Presentation (Translating Your Content)

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

However, this 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, allowing audiences around the world to access and learn from the slides we create. Consider translating your presentation and sharing it online; you never know who the presentation might reach.

Using the Built-in Translate Function

In the past, you might have done a lot 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.

The tips in this section were written using macOS and Office365. If you’ve got a different operating system or a different version of PowerPoint, your steps may differ.

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. Use a filename that indicates it’s written in another language, such as “PowerPoint Name-spanish.pptx,” to help 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, which is PowerPoint’s translation preview.

If you want to update your box with the suggested translation, simply click on Insert. PowerPoint will replace 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.

Conclusion

You learned the secrets of changing 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 and expand your content’s reach.