Automatically Detect a Different Language in Word 2000

If you're working in more than one language in a Microsoft Word 2000 document, Word can automatically detect each different language and use the appropriate spelling and grammar dictionaries, punctuation rules, and sorting conventions for that language. This enables you to perform certain tasks, such as checking spelling and grammar, automatically as you type.

For example, you might be working in a document whose default language is English, but want to type in French. When you turn on automatic language detection and begin typing in French, Word recognizes the text as French after you type only a few words. This means that, among other things, you won't get spelling and grammar errors on the French text because Word examines the text using French language formatting and French proofing tools rather than English ones.

The English version of Word 2000 comes with built-in French and Spanish proofing tools (such as spelling and grammar checkers), so you can automatically proof text in these languages without installing additional software. Similarly, other language versions of Word include proofing tools for languages popular in those markets. Proofing tools for many other languages are available with Microsoft Office 2000 Proofing Tools, which will be available through your local Microsoft Sales office or retailer later this year.

Prerequisites for Using Automatic Language Detection

To use automatic language detection, you must first do the following:

• Ensure that your system is set up to work in the language.  This includes installing the correct keyboard layout and, if necessary, installing the correct proofing tools. To learn more, read Set Up Office 2000 and Your Computer to Work in Another Language and Set Up Your Keyboard to Work in Another Language in Office 2000.
• Enable the language that you want to type in.  This turns on features particular to working in the language that would not otherwise be available. To learn more, read Enable a Different Language for Editing in Office 2000.

How to Turn On Automatic Language Detection

Once you've set up your system and enabled the language for editing, turning on automatic language detection is easy.

To turn on automatic language detection in Word

1. On the Tools menu, point to Language, and then click Set Language.
2. Make sure that the Detect language automatically check box is selected.
   The language of the text that the insertion point is positioned in is indicated in the status bar.

If a proofing tool for a language was set to Install on first use during setup, typing text in that language may not trigger the installation of the proofing tool, so proofing errors may not be marked automatically as you type. You can ensure that the proofing tool is installed by clicking Spelling and Grammar on the Tools menu.

If you want to override the automatic language detection for a particular word or words, you can do so by pointing to Language on the Tools menu, clicking Set Language, and then manually marking the text with the language you want under Mark selected text as.

See also

For more information about automatically detecting different languages in Word, type about language detection in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab, and then click Search.