Word is the ultimate tool within the Microsoft Office suite, catering to users primarily focused on document creation. Those heavily reliant on Word become accustomed to its comprehensive features, from interface design to default settings. However, the recent transition from Calibri to Aptos as the default font may pose a challenge for users accustomed to the former. In this article, we provide guidance on how to change default font in Word from Aptos to Calibri or any other preferred font, ensuring a seamless transition in your document workflow.
If you've recently noticed a change in font while using Microsoft Word, rest assured it's not a glitch. Aptos is the new official font replacing the well-known Calibri in Microsoft Office apps. Microsoft Office cited Calibri as outdated, hence the introduction of Aptos, a more modern and refined option, as the new default font. Not a fan of the Aptos theme? No need for reinstallation or tutorials on resetting Word to its original settings; you can simply change the default font through a few straightforward steps:
For Windows:
Let's explore how users can change the default font in Word on their Windows systems.
Step 1: Open the Microsoft Word application on your system and navigate to the Home tab.
Step 2: In the Font section of the Home tab, click the small downward arrow to access font settings.
Step 3: In the Font dialog box, select your desired default font, such as "Calibri" or any other font, in the "Font" field. If you can't find it, switch tabs to Font.
Step 4: To set the newly selected font as default, click the "Set As Default" button at the bottom.
Step 5: A prompt will appear asking to confirm the settings, choose to apply them to the current document or all documents, then click "OK" to confirm.
Step 6: The selected font will now serve as the new default font. Consider restarting Microsoft Word to ensure these settings take effect.
While some Microsoft users have expressed dissatisfaction with the new default font, preferences vary, and the steps to change the default font are straightforward for those seeking an alternative.
For Mac:
For Mac users, the process of setting a new default font is quite similar. Let's take a look at the steps right away:
Step 1: By default, Microsoft Word on Mac may have the Aptos font set.
Step 2: To change the font settings, click on the "Format" tab from the Word menu.
Step 3: From the Format drop-down menu, select "Font".
Step 4: In the font dialog, Aptos font may be selected in the "Font" field, replacing it with Calibri.
Step 5: After selecting the new font, click on the "Default" button.
Step 6: Users will get a confirmation message where they can choose to save the new font settings for the current document or for all future documents, select the latter and press “OK”.
Step 7: You will return to your Microsoft Word interface and you will see Calibri as the new font style.
Why Default Font Setting Doesn’t Stick in Microsoft Word?
Even after following the steps to modify the default font settings, you might encounter situations where the changes don't seem to take effect in newly created documents. This can occur due to a few reasons, such as permission issues or other conflicts with your recent changes. Let's explore solutions to address these issues:
Check Permission Settings:
The Normal.dotm template stores your default font settings. Ensure you have write permissions for this file.
Step 1: Search for "Normal.dotm" in File Explorer.
Step 2: Right-click the file and select "Properties" from the context menu.
Step 3: Click on the "General" tab, and ensure that the "Read-only" option is unchecked in the Attributes section.
Step 4: Next, navigate to the "Security" tab, and under Group or user names, ensure that your name is selected.
Step 5: In the "Permissions for [Your name]" section, check if you have Write permission, indicated by a tick next to "Write".
Disable Conflicting Add-ins:
Certain add-ins might interfere with your default font settings. Here's how to temporarily disable them and test:
Step 1: To access add-in settings, users will need to open Word Options, which will be available in the File menu and located in the left-side panel.
Step 2: Within the Options window, navigate to the "Add-Ins" section on the left-hand side menu.
Step 3: Look for the dropdown menu labeled "Manage" near the bottom of the Add-Ins window.
Step 4: Click on the dropdown menu and select the option "COM Add-Ins".
Step 5: Click the button labeled "Go" to open the "COM Add-Ins" window.
Step 6: In the COM Add-Ins window, you'll see a list of available add-ins.
Step 7: Uncheck the box next to any add-in you want to temporarily disable.
Step 8: Once you've unchecked the boxes for any suspected add-ins, click "OK" to save your changes.
The process can be time-consuming as you'll need to re-enable the add-ins you disabled one by one, restarting Word after enabling each one. Once you re-enable the add-in that causes the default font settings to revert, you've identified the culprit. You can then decide whether to keep the add-in disabled or explore alternative solutions to avoid the conflict.
Restoring Default Font Settings by Resetting the Word Template
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to reset the Word template file (Normal.dotm) to restore your default font settings:
Note: Resetting the Normal.dotm file will erase all custom styles, macros, and settings saved in your template.
Before proceeding, ensure you have backups of any custom styles or macros you want to preserve.
Step 1: Open a new File Explorer window and type "Normal.dotm" (including the quotation marks) in the search bar and press Enter.
Step 2: When the search results populate, right-click on the "Normal.dotm" file and then select "Delete" from the context menu.
Step 3: Close any open Microsoft Word documents and then reopen Microsoft Word.
Word will automatically generate a new Normal.dotm file with the default settings, including the default font. This should resolve any issues causing your preferred font settings from not being applied in new documents.
Best Alternative to Microsoft Office - WPS Office
WPS Office stands out among office suites as a top choice for experts and novices alike. Its appeal lies in its comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and lightweight design compared to its counterparts. With seamless compatibility across all operating systems, including Mac, Windows, and Linux, WPS Office offers unparalleled accessibility. Its inclusion of essential tools like Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheet ensures users have everything they need for efficient productivity.
Moreover, WPS Office distinguishes itself by its default font, Calibri, in the Writer tool. This choice enhances user experience, particularly for those transitioning from Microsoft Word. The Writer tool has intuitive functionality, making document creation and editing really simple and easy compared to its MS Office counterpart.
Here's how you can set a new default font in the WPS Office Writer application:
Step 1: Let's begin by creating a new blank document in WPS Office to initiate the process.
Step 2: Now, navigate to the Home tab and click on the "Settings" button located at the right end of the Home ribbon.
Step 3: In the Settings options, select "Font" to open the font settings.
Step 4: Simply browse through different font options available on WPS Writer and select a new font.
Step 5: Users can also adjust other font settings such as font size and style in the font dialog box.
Step 6: After making your selection, click on the "Default" button to set the new font as default.
Step 7: Setting a new default font triggers changes to a template file saved in the backend of WPS Office. When you set it as default, WPS Writer will prompt you with a warning message to notify. Click on "OK" to proceed.
Step 8: Now, simply create a new blank document, and you will find the new default font preselected in your new document.
FAQs
1. Will changing the default font affect existing documents?
Altering the default font won't automatically modify existing documents. You'll need to manually adjust the font settings for any existing documents by selecting the text and applying the desired font settings.
2. Did Microsoft change the default font to Aptos?
Yes, Microsoft changed the default font to Aptos, replacing Calibri across its Office suite.
3. Can you change the default font in Microsoft Word?
Yes, Microsoft Word allows you to customize the default font according to your preference. You can choose from a variety of fonts available in the software to set as your default font for all new documents. This feature enables you to tailor your Word documents to your preferred style and enhance consistency across your work.
Beyond Calibri: Discover Flexibility and Freedom with WPS Office
Word is only a component of Microsoft Office, with numerous alternatives available from other office suites, such as Writer in WPS Office. Given the reliance on Word by many users, they may have grown accustomed to Calibri and thus would want to know how to change default font in Word. The notable advantage of WPS Office is its remarkable compatibility, even alongside Microsoft Office. This enables seamless work on WPS Office while simultaneously using Microsoft Office. Download WPS Office today so you can document without worrying about any unseen circumstance.
