How Do I Change The Default Font In Word
A practical step-by-step guide to how do i change the default font in word, including preparation, instructions, common issues, tips, and next steps.
How Do I Change The Default Font In Word
Tired of changing the font from Calibri every time you start a new document? This guide shows you how to change the default font in Microsoft Word once and for all. Setting a new default font saves you time and ensures all your new documents have a consistent, professional look that matches your personal or company style. This simple change takes only a few minutes but will streamline your workflow every day. This guide works for recent versions of Word on both Windows and macOS.
Fast Answer
- Key Action: Use the Set As Default button in the Font settings window.
- Location: Home Tab > Font Group (click small arrow) > Choose Font > Set As Default > Select 'All documents...'.
Before You Start
- Microsoft Word: You need a desktop version of Microsoft Word installed on your computer. This guide is for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016.
- Corporate Style Guide: If you use Word for work, check if your company has a required font, size, or style for documents.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Open a New Blank Document
First, launch Microsoft Word on your computer. You can start by opening a new, blank document. This gives you a clean slate to work with and allows you to immediately see the current default font, which is likely Calibri in size 11. You don't need to type anything yet; just having the document open is enough to access the necessary settings.
Access the Font Settings Window
Look at the ribbon menu at the top of the Word window. Make sure you are on the Home tab. In the Font group, you will see the familiar options for font type, size, bold, and italic. In the bottom-right corner of this group, there is a very small arrow icon, called a dialog box launcher. Click this small arrow to open the main Font settings window, which gives you more detailed options than the ribbon.
Choose Your New Default Font, Style, and Size
The Font window gives you full control over your text's appearance. In the top section, you can scroll through the list to select your desired Font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia). Next, choose a Font style, such as Regular, Italic, Bold, or Bold Italic. Finally, select a default Size, like 12. You can see a preview of your choices in the Preview box at the bottom of the window. Take a moment to select the combination you want for all your future documents.
Set Your Selection as the New Default
Once you are happy with your new font settings, do not click the 'OK' button yet. Instead, look for the Set As Default button, which is usually located in the bottom-left corner of the Font window. Clicking this button tells Word that you want to make these settings your new standard, rather than just applying them to the current selection.
Confirm the Change for All Future Documents
After clicking 'Set As Default', a new, small pop-up window will appear. This is the most important step. Word will ask you if you want to set the default font for:
- This document only?
- All documents based on the Normal.dotm template?
You must select the second option: All documents based on the Normal.dotm template?. The 'Normal.dotm' file is the master template Word uses for every new blank document. By choosing this option, you are editing that master template. Once you've selected it, click OK. You'll return to your document, and you may notice the font has changed there as well.
Verify Your New Default Font
To make sure the change worked, you need to test it. Close the blank document you were working on. You can close Word completely as well. Now, open Word again and create a brand new, blank document (you can press Ctrl + N on Windows or Cmd + N on Mac). Start typing. The text should appear in the new font, style, and size you selected. If it does, you have successfully changed the default font in Word.
Quick Reference
| Situation | Use this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You need to change the font for just one document. | Use the font controls on the Home tab ribbon. | This is a temporary change for the current file and won't affect other documents. |
| You want all new blank documents to use a different font. | Follow this guide: Font Dialog > Set As Default > 'All documents...'. | This saves time and ensures consistency by modifying Word's master template (Normal.dotm). |
| You want to restore Word's original default font. | Follow this guide, but select Calibri, Regular, and size 11. | This resets the default font setting back to Word's factory standard. |
Common Problems When You Change the Default Font in Word
Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them quickly.
The default font didn't change for new documents.
Cause: The most common reason for this is selecting "This document only" instead of "All documents based on the Normal.dotm template?" during step 5. This applies the font change only to the document you had open at the time.
Solution: Simply repeat the steps in the guide. Pay close attention in the final confirmation pop-up and make sure to select the option for all documents. This will correctly update the master template.
My old documents still use the old font.
Cause: This is expected and correct behaviour. Changing the default font only affects new documents you create after making the change. It does not go back and alter existing files, which retain their original formatting.
Solution: To update an old document, you must change its font manually. Open the document, select all the text by pressing Ctrl + A (Windows) or Cmd + A (Mac), and then choose your desired font from the Home tab ribbon.
Word asks to save changes to 'Normal.dotm' when I close it.
Cause: This is a normal and reassuring message. It means Word has registered that you made a change to its master template (by setting a new default font) and is asking for final permission to save that change permanently.
Solution: Click Save. If you click 'Don't Save', your new default font setting will be discarded, and you will have to set it again next time.
Advanced Tips for Customising Word
Changing the default font is just the beginning. If you want more control over your documents, consider these next steps.
- Customise Default Styles: The default font you just set applies to the "Normal" style. However, Word uses many other styles for things like headings, titles, and quotes. You can customise these as well. On the Home tab, right-click on a style in the Styles gallery (e.g., Heading 1) and choose Modify. You can set the font, size, colour, and spacing for that style and choose to add it to the template for all new documents.
- Create Your Own Templates: Instead of modifying the default Normal template, you can create entirely new templates for specific purposes. Set up a document exactly how you want it—with your preferred fonts, styles, margins, headers, and footers. Then, go to File > Save As, and in the 'Save as type' dropdown menu, choose Word Template (*.dotx). You can then create new documents based on this custom template anytime.
- Adjust Advanced Typography: In the Font settings window, there is an Advanced tab. Here you can fine-tune settings like character spacing (kerning) and enable ligatures, which can give your documents a more polished, professionally typeset appearance. These are subtle but powerful tools for document design.
- Set Defaults in Other Office Apps: Your default font in Word doesn't carry over to Outlook or PowerPoint. However, you can set the defaults in those programmes using a very similar process. For example, in Outlook, you can change the default fonts for new emails, replies, and forwards by going to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts.
How Do I Change The Default Font In Word FAQ
What is the default font in Microsoft Word?
For most modern versions of Microsoft Word (since Word 2007), the default font has been Calibri, size 11 pt. Before that, the long-standing default was Times New Roman, size 12 pt.
How do I change the default font on Word for Mac?
The process on a Mac is almost identical. Open Word, then from the top menu bar, click Format > Font. In the Font window that appears, choose your desired font, style, and size. Then, click the Default... button in the bottom-left corner. A confirmation dialog will ask if you want to change the default font for the Normal template. Click Yes to confirm.
Can I change the default font colour in Word?
Yes. In the same Font settings window where you choose the font type and size, there is a 'Font colour' dropdown menu. You can select a new default colour here. When you click 'Set As Default', this new colour will become part of your new standard setting for all new documents.
How can I reset Word back to its original factory settings?
The most direct way to reset all customisations, including the default font, is to find and rename or delete the Normal.dotm file. Word will automatically create a new, clean version with the factory settings the next time it starts. The file is usually hidden in a system folder. A quick web search for "where is Normal.dotm on Windows" or "on Mac" will give you its typical location. Warning: This will reset all your default settings (like styles, macros, and Quick Access Toolbar customisations), not just the font.
Final Checklist for Changing Your Default Font
- New Document Test: Have you opened a completely new, blank document to confirm that your chosen font is now the default?
- Correct Option Selected: Did you remember to select "All documents based on the Normal.dotm template?" to make the change permanent?
- Existing Documents: Do you understand that this change does not affect your old, existing documents and that they must be updated manually?
- Save on Exit: If Word prompts you to save changes to Normal.dotm upon closing, did you click 'Save' to lock in your new settings?