How To Change the Language in Google Docs

Google Docs is one of the few word processing programs that easily allows you to change the language used. You can change the language settings based on what you need and where you need it to work. With nearly 100 different languages available to users, Google Docs is a prime choice for any writer who frequently has to move back and forth between languages.

If you’re looking for several options for changing the language of your Google Docs, keep reading!

How to Change the Interface Language

Changing the interface language in your Google account will change the default language across all of Google’s products and apps. This includes the default language inside Google Docs. A list of languages available in Google Docs can be found here.

It’s important to note that this will change the language inside the app itself but not the user-written text inside the document. For example, this setting will only change the language of menus, your web browser if you use Google Chrome and website content.

However, Google has made changing the interface language a straightforward process.

How to Change the Default Interface Language

It’s possible to overwrite the current language rather than adding another language and having to toggle between them. This is a good option if you are changing the interface language and have no intention of changing it again in the future.

1. Log in to your Google account via your web browser.
   
2. Tap the “Personal Info” button.
   
3. Scroll down until you reach a section called “General preference for the web.”
4. Tap “Language.”
   
5. Find the pencil icon to the right of the current language and click it.
   
6. Search for the preferred language.
   
7. Select the correct country or dialect.
   
8. Tap “Select”
   
9. The interface language will automatically update.

Once the default interface language is changed, you will have to go through the settings process from the beginning if you wish to change languages again.

How to Add an Interface Language

Setting up additional languages and toggling between them as necessary would be easier if you plan to go between multiple languages frequently.

1. Go to your Google account using your web browser.
   
2. Select the “Personal Info” button.
   
3. Find a section called “General preference for the web.”
   
4. Tap on “Language.”
   
5. You can add additional languages by tapping “Add another language.”
   
6. Scroll or search for the language you need.
   
7. Select the correct country or dialect to add the language to the bottom of the list.
   
8. To make this new language the default language, tap “Select”.
   
9. The language across all services will be translated immediately.

Setting up multiple languages here will keep you from having to take the time to set up a new language every time you want to change.

How To Change a Document’s Language

To change the text language in a Google Doc, you will want to use the translation feature instead of changing the language in your Google account.

1. Open the Google Docs app.
2. Go to the document with the text you wish to translate.
   
3. Along the top of the document, click on the Tools menu.
   
4. Click the “Translate document” option.
   
5. Enter a name for this translated document.
   
6. Scroll through the language options until you find and click on the language you need.
   
7. A translated copy of your document will automatically appear in a separate window.
   
8. Save the translated Google Doc to your Google Drive.
   

This translation tool will only work on user-written text rather than changing anything in the Google Docs software.

How to Change the Spell Check Language

As you edit the content in your Google Docs, you will want to ensure that the spellcheck function matches the language of the content you are editing. This will help to reduce editing errors by preventing the tool from mistaking correctly spelled words in one language for incorrectly spelled words in your preferred language. Follow these steps to change your spell check language.

1. Open the Google Doc that you would like to edit.
   
2. Highlight the text you want to check.
   
3. In the top portion of Google Docs, select “File.”
   
4. Select “Language.”
   
5. Scroll through the available options until you find the language or dialect needed.
   
6. Once you have selected the correct spell check language, Google Docs will highlight errors using the language you’ve chosen.

Spelling errors will be red, and grammar errors will be blue. You can right-click to see suggested changes.

Setting up your language preferences in spell check will help your editing process by matching language rules with the language of the text.

Google Docs and Languages – Options for Every Job

Google Docs offers many ways to change languages. It’s designed to suit the individual user and what they are working on. Whether you need to change the interface’s language, translate a piece of text, or edit in another language, Google Docs can help you do it all.

Have you ever used multiple languages in Google Docs? Leave a comment below with the language you used.