Skip to main content

How to change the language and number format in the Nexam spreadsheet

Learn how to change Google Sheets menu and function language, as well as number formatting, during an assessment in Nexam.

The Google Sheets spreadsheet integrated into Nexam has two separate settings:

  • Interface and function language determines the language of menus and functions, such as SUM in English or SOMME in French. It depends on your Google account or browser settings.

  • Number format determines decimal separators and formula argument separators. You can change it directly in Nexam.

These settings are independent. The language selected in your Nexam profile does not affect the language of Google Sheets functions.

1. Change the interface and function language

To change the language of your spreadsheet menus and functions:

  1. During your assessment, open the Spreadsheet tab.

  2. Click Interface and function language above the spreadsheet.

  3. A help window displays instructions adapted to your browser.

  4. Follow the instructions for your situation, then reload the assessment page.

The procedure depends on the browser you use.

Google Chrome

If you use Google Chrome, your spreadsheet language depends on whether you are signed in to a Google account.

If you are signed in to Google:

  1. Open myaccount.google.com/language in a new tab.

  2. Move your desired language to the top of your Google account's preferred languages.

  3. Return to Nexam and reload your assessment page.

This change may also affect the language of other Google services associated with your account, such as Gmail and Google Drive.

If you are not signed in to Google:

  1. Open chrome://settings/languages in a new tab.

  2. Under Preferred languages, add your desired language if it is not already listed, then move it to the top.

  3. Return to Nexam and reload your assessment page.

Interface and function language help window in Google Chrome, showing both signed-in and signed-out instructions.

Interface and function language help window in Google Chrome, showing both signed-in and signed-out instructions.

Microsoft Edge

In Microsoft Edge, the procedure also depends on whether you are signed in to a Google account.

If you are signed in to Google:

  1. Open myaccount.google.com/language in a new tab.

  2. Move your desired language to the top of your preferred languages.

  3. Return to Nexam and reload your assessment page.

If you are not signed in to Google:

  1. Open edge://settings/languages in a new tab.

  2. Under Preferred languages, add your desired language if it is not already listed, then move it to the top.

  3. Return to Nexam and reload your assessment page.

Interface and function language help window in Microsoft Edge, showing edge://settings/languages.

Interface and function language help window in Microsoft Edge, showing edge://settings/languages.

Safari on Mac

In Safari, the spreadsheet language depends on the macOS system language or the language specifically assigned to Safari.

You can change Safari's language without changing the language of your entire Mac.

  1. Open System Settings > General > Language & Region on your Mac.

  2. Under Applications, click +.

  3. Select Safari, then choose your preferred language.

  4. Accept the Safari restart when prompted by macOS.

  5. Return to your assessment in Nexam.

Interface and function language help window in Safari, showing the macOS language settings instructions.

Interface and function language help window in Safari, showing the macOS language settings instructions.

Note: Adding a language in second position in your system language list is not sufficient. Use the primary system language or assign a specific language to Safari.

How can you tell whether you are signed in to Google?

If you use Chrome or Edge:

  1. Open google.com in a new tab in the same browser.

  2. Look at the upper-right corner:

    • A profile picture or initial indicates that you are signed in to Google.

    • A Sign in button indicates that you are not signed in.

This will help you determine which procedure to follow.

2. Change the number format

You can change the number format directly in Nexam, independently of the function language.

  1. Open the Spreadsheet tab during your assessment.

  2. Above the spreadsheet, open the Number format menu.

  3. Choose your preferred format:

Format

Decimals

Argument separator

Français (Canada)

3,5

Semicolon ;

English (Canada)

3.5

Comma ,

For example, when using English functions:

  • Français (Canada): =SUM(A1;B1)

  • English (Canada): =SUM(A1,B1)

This setting changes number formatting and separators, but not function names.

The change applies to every tab in the same spreadsheet and remains saved after reloading the assessment.

You can change the number format up to five times per minute. If you reach this limit, wait one minute before trying again.

3. Using formulas in the spreadsheet

To use a formula, enter an equal sign (=) followed by the function name.

For example:

  • In English: =SUM(C3:C4)

  • In French: =SOMME(C3:C4)

When you start typing a formula, Google Sheets displays suggestions based on your data. Help information may also show the function description, syntax, and an example.

You can browse available functions using the automatic sum ∑ icon in the spreadsheet.

Google Sheets functions are available in several languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch.

Reference: Google Sheets function list

4. Understanding number formats

The decimal separator depends on the format selected in Nexam.

  • In French (Canada), use a comma: 316,57.

  • In English (Canada), use a period: 316.57.

To avoid formatting errors:

  • Use the decimal separator corresponding to your selected format.

  • Do not manually insert spaces to separate thousands.

  • Use spreadsheet formatting options, including Format > Number, when needed.

Function language and number format may be different. You can therefore use French functions while displaying numbers in English format.

5. Spreadsheet display after the assessment

Your spreadsheet may appear differently depending on where you view it.

In Nexam and the assessment PDF

The content and number formatting are preserved as they appeared during the assessment. The PDF also reproduces this display.

In a downloaded Microsoft Excel file

When you open the downloaded Excel spreadsheet, function names and number formatting may depend on Microsoft Excel settings and your device.

For example, a formula may appear as SUM in English Excel or SOMME in French Excel.

These display differences do not necessarily mean that your answer or calculations have changed.

On a Mac, you can change the Microsoft Excel language through System Settings > General > Language & Region, under Applications.

This change does not modify the assessment saved in Nexam.

6. Precautions during a monitored assessment

Changing your Google account, browser, or Safari language may require temporarily leaving your assessment page and reloading it.

These actions may generate monitoring events. You may also need to grant screen-sharing permission again.

We recommend checking your language and number format settings before starting your assessment.

If you experience difficulties during your assessment, use the built-in Nexam help or contact support.

7. If the language does not change

  1. Check whether you want to change function language or only number formatting.

  2. If you use Chrome or Edge, check whether you are signed in to Google.

  3. Make sure your desired language is first in the appropriate settings.

  4. Reload the assessment page after making the change.

  5. If you use Safari, make sure the language is correctly assigned to the application and Safari has been restarted.

If the problem persists, contact Nexam support and specify which browser you are using and which language you want.

Did this answer your question?