[Solved] Language settings lost with software update

[jmrathbun]

I just updated to the latest version of Open Office for Windows 32 and didn't think to check to see if my language setting had been preserved because most apps have the smarts to assume that somebody who has used English for the past decade is likely to continue using it in future. Consequently, a 700-word editorial I submitted for publication had the word "devatate" which had eluded me and my spouse until after the thing was submitted. Needless to say, I felt devatated. So when are the devs going to fix this?

[RoryOF]

From what version did you update?

[jmrathbun]

Sorry! Don't recall that.

[Hagar Delest]

Anyway, the language is part of the text settings. Thus, upgrading has no impact on your document.
Do you use native ODF (.odt for text)?
What is the language setting in your document?
See: [Troubleshooting] Spell check in OpenOffice.

[jmrathbun]

The spell check worked fine in the previous version AFTER I burrowed into the interface on advice from this forum and selected ENGLISH as my preferred language. That was long enough ago that it was not top-of-mind that I might have to repeat the operation after this new update, as though the app didn't track user settings across updates. I mainly use .odt format unless the app demands something else. I would like to be able to set and forget ENGLISH as the default language for all new documents and for all spell-checking. Thirty years ago, when I got my first PC, there wasn't that much sophistication and I wound up becoming an amateur coder just to get what I needed from office software of the DOS 2.1 era. I suppose I'm now spoiled by modern software conveniences to think such babying would not be needed with Windows 10 pro.

[MrProgrammer]

I would like to be able to set and forget ENGLISH as the default language for all new documents and for all spell-checking

This is accomplished by specifying the proper default template for new documents. This setting is kept in the user profile. If your user profile settings are important to you, you should ensure that you have a backup of that folder.
[Tutorial] Creating a new default template

Here are several of your topics about spell check for you to review:
[Solved] Spell check not working in 4.1.1
[Solved] Spell check problems
[Solved] Spell check fails with new documents
[Dropped] Spell check defunct again

… as though the app didn't track user settings across updates.

OpenOffice keeps user settings in the user profile. That folder is not affected by installing software updates. so, OpenOffice does retain user settings across updates, unless a new version changes the location of the user profile. If, upon starting OpenOffice, you are prompted for your name and initials this is an indication that you are now using a new user profile. If you have made a backup of the user profile, you can restore it so your former language settings, and others, are retained.

So when are the devs going to fix this?

This is not a customer service

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ✏️ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[RoryOF]

The reason I asked about the version from which the OP upgraded was that, as far as I remember, upgrades from one major version (e.g. v3) to another major version (e.g. v4) require a complete resetting by the User of the customisation. Upgrades within a version pick up the existing User Profile and maintain it.

[jmrathbun]

Well, that might be consistent with my observation... I just haven't paid that much attention to version numbers. I'll see what happens with the next upgrade.