Google Sheets uses two separate language settings. The display language (menus and buttons) comes from your Google Account: change it at myaccount.google.com > Personal info > General preferences for the web > Language. The spreadsheet locale, set in File > Settings > Locale, controls how dates, numbers, currency, and function separators work in that one file.
If you only need to translate cell text, use the GOOGLETRANSLATE function instead.
Quick Answer
To change menus, change your Google Account language and reload Sheets. To change date and number formats for one file, go to File > Settings, pick a Locale, and select Save settings.
Change the Display Language (Menus)
- In Sheets, select your profile picture in the top-right corner and choose Manage your Google Account.
- Select Personal info.
- Under General preferences for the web, select Language.
- Select the pencil icon, choose a language, and select Select or Save.
- Reload the Sheets tab. Menus now appear in the new language.
This changes the language for all Google apps on the web, including Gmail and Docs.
Change the Spreadsheet Locale (Formats)
- Open the spreadsheet and select File > Settings.
- On the General tab, open the Locale menu and choose a country or region.
- Check the Time zone while you’re there.
- Select Save settings. The sheet reloads with the new formats.
What Changes With Each Setting
| Account language | Spreadsheet locale | |
|---|---|---|
| Menus and buttons | Yes | No |
| Date format (MM/DD vs. DD/MM) | No | Yes |
| Decimal separator (1.5 vs. 1,5) | No | Yes |
| Formula argument separator (comma vs. semicolon) | No | Yes |
| Default currency | No | Yes |
| Applies to | All Google apps | This spreadsheet only |
Translate Text in Cells
- Click an empty cell.
- Type
=GOOGLETRANSLATE(A2, "en", "es"), replacing A2 with the cell to translate and the codes with the source and target languages. - Press Enter. Use
"auto"as the source to detect the language.
Change the Language in the Mobile App
The Sheets app on iPhone and Android follows your phone’s language. On Android, you may be able to set a language just for Sheets in Settings > Apps > Sheets > Language. On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Sheets > Language if it’s listed.
Some locales use semicolons in formulas, which also affects functions like SEQUENCE. Our guide to sequential numbers in Google Sheets shows the formulas.
For documents, you can also translate a Google Docs document.
To present your data, learn how to insert a Google Sheet into Google Slides.
To highlight data, see how to change cell color in Google Sheets.
Troubleshooting
- Formulas broke after changing the locale: Some locales use semicolons between arguments. Sheets converts existing formulas, but new ones need the new separator.
- Dates look wrong: Dates typed before the change keep their values. Reformat them with Format > Number > Date. See how to insert dates in Google Sheets.
- Currency symbol didn’t change: Cells with a specific currency format keep it. Reapply formatting; here’s how to apply currency formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can collaborators see menus in their own language?
Yes. Each person sees menus in their own account language. The locale is shared because it belongs to the file.
Can I set a different default locale for new sheets?
New spreadsheets use a locale based on your account’s language and region. Change it per file in File > Settings.
Summary
- Change menu language in your Google Account.
- Change formats for one file in File > Settings > Locale.
- Use GOOGLETRANSLATE to translate cell text.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.