Do you often include multiple translations in a single email message? If so, a great time saver is to have Outlook for Mac detect and spell check those translations for you automatically.

It's a two-step process. First, select the languages you use most often. Next, compose your message.

Choose the preferred language

  1. On the Mac, select System Preferences (System Preferences button on Mac) > Language & Region (Language and Region button on Mac).

  2. Under Preferred languages, select +.

  3. Select the language you plan to use > Add.

  4. Select the primary language.

  5. Repeat for each language.

Compose your email message

  1. If Outlook is open, exit and restart it so the language additions can take effect.

  2. Open a new email message, place the cursor in the body of the message, and select Edit > Language > Language.

    Outlook 2016  for Mac Edit > Language menu

  3. Select Detect language automatically > OK. Outlook will remember this setting so you won't need to set it again.

    Outlook 2016 for Mac Detect Language Automatically setting

  4. Type the text of your message in each language. Outlook will automatically check as you go and mark the misspellings with a red line.

    Tip: Language detection works on full sentences only. Be sure to end your sentences with punctuation to trigger language detection.

    English sentence and German sentence with misspelled word in German. Misspelling has red line under it.

  5. Press Ctrl + Click to select from a list of suggestions for the misspelled word.

See Also

Check spelling and grammar in a different language

Change the language Office uses in its menus and proofing tools

Supported languages in Office for Mac

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