---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/platform-administration

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Set the default language for an instance

# Set the default language for an instance {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Change the language that appears by default for an instance.

## Before you begin

Activate the languages that your users need. For more information, see [Activate a language](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/JVX9OJGGemU7rGe1QNjBRw "By default, the language supported by the platform is American English. You can activate plugins for other supported languages if you have the admin role.") for supported languages or [Translating to an unsupported language](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/8pd1J9fmPPy9Yf9eLa8p4A "Translate the interface of an instance to a language for which ServiceNow does not provide an internationalization (I18N) plugin.") for custom translations.

Role required: admin

## About this task

This property defines the language that users with a role see if a language is not specified in their user record. Users without a role see the default guest language, as described in [User specific language](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/38WeNs747NCN58Kz1Lhdtg "The user has several choices for identifying the language to be used for the instance, as described here.").

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSystem PropertiesSystem Localization.
2. In the Default language for the system (two character values) field, enter a two-character language code.  
   You can set the default language to any language that is active on the instance. The following language codes and languages are examples of possible values.
   Figure 1. Default language
3. Select Save.

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