OneNote app Mac proofing language won't change

Question

OneNote app Mac proofing language won't change

UK anonymous 5

I've tried EVERYTHING and my OneNote app on my Mac is still using US English as the default. This means that I have to set the proofing language for each and every text box.

In short, all my accounts and keyboards are in UK language.

I need help!

Chrisy D 0 Reputation points

2026-03-12T16:13:52.3066667+00:00

I have the same issue, except every time I try to change it to US English, it remains as UK English. It might work for a minute, but it always reverts back to UK English.
UK anonymous 5 Reputation points

2026-03-12T17:14:51.4666667+00:00
Ok, I might have figured it out.... but I don't know how long it will work.

This is what I did:

in system settings search "keyboard layout"

You'll get a popup window called "All input sources" - at the lefthand mine said ABC

at the bottom left there's a "+" and "-" sign.

I selected the "+" sign and added the "British" and deleted the "ABC".

That seemed to worked...so maybe try this but then select "ABC" and delete any other ones you have.
Chrisy D 0 Reputation points

2026-03-15T17:46:29.0966667+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion, but I've already tried that along with some other stuff. Nothing seems to work. According to Reddit, the OneNote team is aware of this issue. Hopefully, they'll fix it soon enough.

1 answer

Your answer

Chrisy D 0 Reputation points

2026-03-12T16:13:52.3066667+00:00

I have the same issue, except every time I try to change it to US English, it remains as UK English. It might work for a minute, but it always reverts back to UK English.
UK anonymous 5 Reputation points

2026-03-12T17:14:51.4666667+00:00

Ok, I might have figured it out.... but I don't know how long it will work.

This is what I did:

in system settings search "keyboard layout"

You'll get a popup window called "All input sources" - at the lefthand mine said ABC

at the bottom left there's a "+" and "-" sign.

I selected the "+" sign and added the "British" and deleted the "ABC".

That seemed to worked...so maybe try this but then select "ABC" and delete any other ones you have.
Chrisy D 0 Reputation points

2026-03-15T17:46:29.0966667+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion, but I've already tried that along with some other stuff. Nothing seems to work. According to Reddit, the OneNote team is aware of this issue. Hopefully, they'll fix it soon enough.

Answer 1

OneNote for Mac does not support setting a default proofing language for all notes or for the entire notebook. The proofing language is applied only to the selected text on a page and reverts after spell check, so it must be set per text area when needed.

To change the proofing language for the current text:

On the menu bar, select Tools > Set Proofing Language.
In Language, choose English (United Kingdom).
Select OK.

Important limitations in OneNote for Mac:

The proofing language cannot be set for an entire notebook.
A default proofing language for all future sessions cannot be configured.
After spell checking completes, the spelling language reverts to the original language, so it must be reapplied when switching languages.

Because of these product limitations, OneNote for Mac will continue to behave as described even if macOS, accounts, and keyboards are set to UK English.

References:

Share via

OneNote app Mac proofing language won't change

1 answer

Your answer