How to Change Default Font in Word for Mac

Edited 4 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Microsoft OfficeWord for MacFont settingsCustomizationAppleMacBookDocument designFormattingText appearanceOffice productivityTypographyDocument creation

Microsoft Word is one of the most widely used word processing applications. It offers a ton of features that allow users to easily create professional and personal documents. Among these features, the ability to change the default font is integral for many users who want to personalize their document creation experience. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of changing the default font in Word for Mac. Whether you are preparing a thesis, writing a book, or writing a simple letter, knowing how to set your favorite font as the default can save a lot of time and increase consistency in your documents.

Before diving into the steps, it's important to understand what the term 'default font' means in the context of Microsoft Word. The default font is the font setting that Word uses every time you open a new document or page. Traditionally, Word uses a common font like Times New Roman or Calibri as the default. Although these fonts are widely accepted and used, they may not suit everyone's stylistic preferences or specific needs. Changing the default font allows you to immediately start typing in the font you want, without having to manually change it every time you start a new project.

Step-by-step guide to changing the default font

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word

The first step to changing the default font is to open Microsoft Word on your Mac. This process is straightforward. Simply locate the Word application icon via your desktop, Launchpad, or Finder and click to open it. Once Word is open, it's a good idea to start with a blank document to simplify navigation.

Step 2: Access the Font menu

Once Word opens, you'll want to access the Font menu. To do this, go to the menu bar at the top of your screen and click "Format." A dropdown menu will appear. From here, select "Font." This will open the Font dialog box, which is necessary for changing your default font settings.

Step 3: Choose your preferred font settings

In the Font dialog box, you'll see several options that allow you to customize the look of your text. These include the font style, font size, and additional formatting elements such as bold or italics. At this point, you can experiment with different font options until you find a font you like. For example, if you prefer the look of Arial over Times New Roman, you can select it from the list. You can also adjust the size to ensure readability.

Let's look at an example. Let's say you want to set Arial as your default font with a size of 12, and you want it to be italic. In the Font dialog box:

• Select "Arial" from the font list.
• Select "12" from the size options.
• Click "Italic" under Font Style.

Step 4: Set as default

After choosing the font settings you want, the next important step is to make these settings the default. To do this, look towards the bottom left corner of the Font dialog box. You will see a button labeled "Default…". Click this button. A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to set these settings as the default for all future documents based on the Normal template. Click "Yes" to confirm your choice.

Step 5: Verify your changes

Once you've set your new default font settings, it's important to verify that they've been applied correctly. Close the current document and any other open Word documents. Then, open a new blank document. If your font settings have been applied correctly, you should see your chosen font style, size, and format by default in this new document. This ensures that your preferred font settings are automatically in place every time you start a new document, saving you the hassle of having to update them manually.

Why change the default font?

The reason for changing the default font may vary depending on personal preferences or business requirements. Some people may find that another font is more readable or aesthetically pleasing than the default option provided by Microsoft Word. In other cases, certain institutions or companies may have specific fonts required for official documents. Changing the default font can also be a simple way to enhance the visual appeal of your writing, making it more appealing to readers.

Troubleshooting common problems

Although the process of changing your default font is generally simple, some common problems can arise:

• Font changes are not saved: If the default font is not being saved, make sure you are correctly confirming the changes by clicking “Yes” in the confirmation dialog after setting the default.
• Word reverts to the default font: If Word reverts to the previous default font, consider restarting the application. Sometimes, changes may take effect only after a restart.

Advanced font customization

For more advanced users, Word provides additional options to customize font settings even further:

• Theme fonts: These are part of the document's theme. Changing the theme font can change both the heading and the body text.
• Font color and effects: You can also set the color and add effects such as shadow or underline as part of your default font settings.

Conclusion

Changing the default font in Microsoft Word for Mac is a useful skill that enhances your document-creation process. By following these steps, you can easily customize Word to suit your personal or business needs. Making these adjustments is not only straightforward but also saves significant time when creating multiple documents. Experiment with different font settings until you find the right look for your work, ensuring that your Word documents start out exactly the way you want them to, every time.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update