How to Change the Default Language in Google Sheets

If you collaborate on international projects or have recently relocated, you might find that Google Sheets is displaying menus, formulas, or formatting rules in the wrong language. Language settings in Google Sheets do not just affect the user interface; they also control crucial formatting standards, such as whether a comma or a full stop is used for decimal points, and how dates are structured (DD/MM/YYYY versus MM/DD/YYYY).

The Difference Between Account Language and Spreadsheet Locale

To fix language issues in Google Sheets, you must understand that there are two separate settings at play. Your Google Account Language dictates the language of the menus, buttons, and help documentation across all Google apps. The Spreadsheet Locale dictates the regional formatting for numbers, dates, and currency within a specific document. You may need to change one or both depending on your needs.

How to Change the Spreadsheet Locale Formatting

If your menus are in English, but your currency symbols are defaulting to Euros or your date formats look backwards, you need to change the Locale.

1. Open the specific Google Sheets document you want to fix.
2. Click on File in the top menu bar.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. A new “Settings for this spreadsheet” window will appear. On the “General” tab, look for the Locale dropdown menu.
5. Click the dropdown and select your correct country or region (e.g., United Kingdom or United States).
6. Click the green Save and reload button.

Your spreadsheet will refresh, and all dates, times, and currencies will now follow the standards of your selected region.

How to Change the Display Language for Menus and Formulas

If the actual buttons, menus, and formula names (like changing =SUM to =SOMME in French) are in the wrong language, you must change your Google Account settings.

1. Open a Google Sheets document.
2. Click on File > Settings.
3. Look for the Display language section below the Locale setting.
4. Click the blue link that says Change your language settings. This will open your global Google Account preferences in a new tab.
5. Under the “Preferred Language” section, click the pencil icon next to your current language.
6. Search for your desired language, select the correct regional variation, and click Save.
7. Close the tab and refresh your Google Sheets document.

The entire interface will now load in your newly selected language.