How to download and install Microsoft Office language packs

Want to use Microsoft Office in a different language? Whether you’re bilingual, working internationally, or just prefer your software in your native tongue, installing a language pack can make Office a lot more user-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to downloading and installing Microsoft Office language packs.

What Is an Office Language Pack?

A language pack adds additional display languages, proofing tools (like spelling and grammar check), and help documentation to Microsoft Office. This means you can change the interface, edit in another language, or simply check spelling and grammar more accurately in documents written in different languages.

Step-by-Step: How to Download and Install Office Language Packs

1. Check Your Version of Office

First, know what version of Office you’re running:

• Open any Office app (like Word).
• Go to File > Account.
• Look under About Word/Excel/etc. to see the version (Office 2016, 2019, 2021, Microsoft 365, etc.).

This matters because language packs are version-specific.

2. Go to the Official Microsoft Language Accessory Pack Page

Visit Microsoft’s official page to find the language pack that matches your version of Office:

• https://support.microsoft.com/office
• Search for Language Accessory Pack for Office.

Or go directly to:

• Language Accessory Pack for Office 2016/2019/2021
• Language Pack for Microsoft 365

3. Choose Your Language

Find the language you want. Microsoft provides packs for dozens of languages, including:

• Spanish
• French
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Russian
• German
  …and many more.

Click Download next to your desired language.

4. Select the Right Version (32-bit or 64-bit)

Make sure you choose the correct version:

• Go to File > Account > About Word again.
• Check if you’re running 32-bit or 64-bit Office.
• Download the corresponding installer.

5. Run the Installer

Once the file is downloaded:

• Double-click to run the installer.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.
• Restart any Office apps once installation is complete.

6. Configure the Language Settings in Office

After installation:

• Open any Office app.
• Go to File > Options > Language.
• Under Office Display Language and Office Authoring Languages and Proofing, set your new language.
• Click Set as Preferred and then OK.
• Restart the application.

Bonus Tips

• You can install multiple languages and switch between them as needed.
• If you only need proofing tools (not the full interface), you can install just those.
• Not all features are available in all languages, so expect slight differences.

Wrap-Up

That’s it! Installing a Microsoft Office language pack is straightforward once you know where to look. Whether you’re working with international clients or writing in multiple languages, adding the right language tools can seriously boost your productivity.

If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it or drop a comment below with any questions.