TypeTalk: Change Word's Default Font

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Q. How can I change the default font in Microsoft Word?
A. Changing the default font (and other attributes) in Word isn’t hard once you know where to look.
In Microsoft Word 2008 for Mac:
1. Open an existing Word document, or create a New Blank Document.
2. Go to Format > Font. Click the Font button.
3. Select the font, the point size, and any other attributes that you want.
4. Click Default on the bottom left.
5. Click Yes when the dialog box appears with the following message: “Do you want to change the default font to [font name]?”
This change will affect all new documents based on the NORMAL template. You can also change the Normal template itself:
1. Open a new document. Don’t type anything in it.
2. Go to View > Formatting Palette.
3. Expand the Styles menu if it isn’t already open.
4. Hover your cursor over the box that says Normal. Then click on the blue down-arrow that shows up on the right side of the box and select Modify Style…
5. Select the font and any other formatting attributes you desire.
6. Check the Add to Template box towards the bottom of the box, then click OK.
You can change the default font from this Font panel on Word 2008 for Mac. It looks virtually the same in Word 2007 for Windows.

Microsoft Word 2007 for Windows:
1. Open an existing Word document, or create a New Blank Document.
2. In the Font group under the Home tab, click Fonts.
3. Select the font, the point size, and any other attributes you want in the Fonts dialog box.
4. Click Default.
5. Click Yes when the confirmation window appears with the following message: “Do you want to change the default font to [font name]?” This change will affect all new documents based on the NORMAL template.
6. Click OK.
Note that this will change the default for the current open document and any new documents, but not older documents.
Love type? Want to know more? Ilene Strizver conducts her acclaimed Gourmet Typography workshops internationally. For more information on attending one or bringing it to your company, organization, or school, go to her site, call The Type Studio at 203-227-5929, or email Ilene at [email protected]. Sign up for her e-newsletter at www.thetypestudio.com. You can also follow Ilene on Facebook and Twitter.

Ilene Strizver is a noted typographic educator, author, designer and founder of The Type Studio in Westport, Connecticut. Her book, Type Rules! The designer’s guide to professional typography, is now in its 4th edition.
  • Anonymous says:

    Thanks for that helpful tip!!

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