How to enable right-to-left language support for Word 2003 and Word 2002 on computers that are running on Windows Server 2003, on Windows XP, or on Windows 2000
This article was previously published under Q311015 On This PageSUMMARYThis step-by-step article discusses the installation and
configuration requirements and explains how to type in, edit, and proof (check
the spelling and grammar) right-to-left languages in Microsoft Office Word 2003
or Microsoft Word 2002 on computers that are running Microsoft Windows Server
2003, Microsoft Windows XP, or Microsoft Windows 2000. Note Right-to-left languages include Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, and Urdu. RequirementsTo type and edit in a right-to-left language in Word, you have to:
For Microsoft WindowsWindows Server 2003, Windows XP and Windows 2000 have built-in support for most languages, including Arabic and Hebrew. To configure the operating system to type in the appropriate language, you must configure the keyboard to type in that language. If the keyboard that you want is not listed by default, you may have to install additional files.For Microsoft WordIf you only want to proof text in different languages, you can install the English version of Microsoft Office and install the Microsoft Office Proofing Tools.If you want the multinational features of Office, you must install a localized version of Office, or you must install the English version of Office with the Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI). BenefitsBenefits of using a localized versionYou may prefer to use a localized version of Office if your organization needs completely localized functionality and the additional content that is included with some fully localized versions. Each localized version includes at least two sets of appropriate proofing tools for the languages that you are likely to use most frequently. To expand that support to more than 40 languages, you can add the Proofing Tools for Office to any localized version. For more information about the localized versions of Office, locate the following Microsoft Web sites:For Microsoft Office 2003: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ork2003/HA011402191033.aspx?pid=CH011480721033 (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ork2003/HA011402191033.aspx?pid=CH011480721033) For Microsoft Office XP: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/orkXP/HA011363741033.aspx?pid=CH011495371033 (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/orkXP/HA011363741033.aspx?pid=CH011495371033) Benefits of using the Microsoft Office Proofing Tools KitFor more information about the Proofing Tools for Microsoft Office, locate the following Microsoft Web sites:For Microsoft Office 2003: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ork2003/HA011402181033.aspx?pid=CH011480721033 (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ork2003/HA011402181033.aspx?pid=CH011480721033) For Microsoft Office XP: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/orkXP/HA011363771033.aspx?pid=CH011495421033 (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/orkXP/HA011363771033.aspx?pid=CH011495421033) Benefits of using the Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI)Office with the Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) simplifies the deployment of Office in a large multinational organization. Because of a common worldwide executable file that is included for each Office program, Information Technology (IT) administrators only need to create one custom installation for users in all countries. The MUI Pack also includes Proofing Tools for Office. Proofing Tools for Office allows users to create and edit documents in more than 40 languages. Multinational companies can use the MUI Pack to enable mobile users and others to share workstations, regardless of their language, and to enable centralized global Help desks to switch the language interface on their computer screens to match the language interface of their customers. (Some dialog boxes and screens may not be in the language that is specified.)Note The Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) is only available through Open License, Select, and Enterprise Agreement volume licensing programs and is not offered through retail stores. For more information about the MUI Pack for your multinational organization, locate the following Microsoft Web sites: For Microsoft Office 2003: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5EFD0266-2C4D-486B-A0DE-099E96AE21A5&displaylang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5EFD0266-2C4D-486B-A0DE-099E96AE21A5&displaylang=en) For Microsoft Office XP: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/orkXP/HA011365101033.aspx?pid=CH011495001033 (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/orkXP/HA011365101033.aspx?pid=CH011495001033) ConfigurationThis step-by-step section explains how to configure Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Word so that you can type text in different languages.Step 1: Install Microsoft WordIf you have not already done so, install Word 2003 (Office 2003) or Word 2002 (Microsoft Office XP) on your computer that is running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP or Windows 2000.Step 2: Configure Microsoft Windows to type in multiple languagesBefore you can type in a language other than English, you must configure the keyboard to match the language. For example, to type Arabic-based characters, configure the keyboard to map the same way as a localized Arabic keyboard. To do this, follow these steps.In Microsoft Windows Server 2003:
For more information about using the Language bar, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type language bar in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned. How to install additional languagesIf the language that you want to type in is not listed in the "Step 2: Configure Windows to type in multiple languages" section, you can add languages by modifying the Regional Options. The Regional Options are in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps for your computer's operating system.In Microsoft Windows Server 2003:
Step 3: Install the Microsoft Office Proofing ToolsTo check the spelling and grammar of text in a different language, you must install the appropriate language proofing tools for the language. To do this, use one of the following methods.Method 1: Install and configure the Microsoft Office Proofing ToolsThe Microsoft Office Proofing Tools give you the ability to check the spelling and grammar of different languages in a Word document.To install the Microsoft Office Proofing Tools, follow these steps:
Method 2: Install and configure the Multilingual User Interface PackTo display menus, dialog boxes, and Help files in a right-to-left language, you must install the Multilingual User Interface Pack. Installing the Multilingual User Interface Pack also installs the proofing tools.To install the Multilingual User Interface Pack for the appropriate language, follow these steps:
Step 4: Configure the Microsoft Office Language Settings
Step 5: Set Word to automatically detect the languageVerify that Word is set to automatically detect the language of the text that is being typed. To do this, follow these steps:
APPLIES TO
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