How to Change the Default Font in Microsoft Word

Almost everyone with a PC or laptop uses Microsoft Word. From those with jobs involving typing, to those who only update their resumes from time to time.

Different tasks require different tools, settings, and fonts. After all, writing a paper for a university exam isn’t the same as drafting a personal letter.

When you open a new Microsoft Word document, you’re most likely to use the default font. But if you want to change it, how do you go about it? Read on to find out.

What’s the Default Font?

Calibri and Times New Roman are the two most common default fonts in Microsoft Word. Each time you open a new document on your computer, before you opt for another font, the default will be set to one of these two. The size is typically 11 or 12 pt.

Can I Change the Default Font?

Yes, you can. Depending on the version of Microsoft Office you use, the steps may differ. Microsoft Word 2010 and later versions are the same, while older versions, such as the 2007 edition, is slightly different.

1. Changing the Default Font in Microsoft Word 2007

Do the following to change the default font settings in this version of Microsoft Word:

1. Open a Microsoft Word document.
2. Navigate to the Home tab within the toolbar at the top.
3. Click on the Font Dialogue Box Launcher in the bottom right corner, below the font settings.
4. In the Font tab, choose new settings regarding font and size.
5. Click on Default and then choose Yes to confirm your new settings.

2. How to Change the Default Font in Microsoft Word 2010 and Later

If you’re using newer versions of Microsoft Word, follow these steps to set a new default font:

1. Launch any Microsoft Word document on your computer.
   
2. Navigate to the Home tab. If the toolbar isn’t currently set to the Home tab, click on it.
   
3. Go to the Font section and click on the small icon in the bottom right corner.
   
4. In the pop-up window, select the Font tab.
   
5. Pick the new default settings – font and size.
   
6. Navigate to Set as Default in the bottom left corner and click it.
   
7. In the pop-up window, choose the second option: All documents based on the Normal template.
   
8. Click OK to confirm.
   

The next time you create a new Microsoft Word document, you’ll be presented with the new default font settings. Do you wish to change the default font for one particular document instead of all future ones? Make sure you select the This document only in the pop-up window from Step 7.

If you’re using Word Online, you won’t be able to change the default font. You can only make changes in the document you’re currently working in.

What If My Changes Haven’t Been Saved?

So, you followed the described instructions to a T. But still, the next time you opened a document, the default font wasn’t the one you set. It just reverted back to the original font. Why did this happen?

It may be due to some add-ins, or permission settings, but there’s still something you can try to stop the font from reverting back to the original one.

To check the permissions, do the following:

1. Navigate to the taskbar and click on the search box.
   
2. Choose Documents at the top search category. Type Normal.dotm in the search box then hit enter.
   
3. Choose Normal.dotm from the search results and right-click on it.
   
4. Click on Properties.
   
5. Navigate to the General tab and uncheck the Read-only option.
   
6. Open the Security tab and click your name under Group or user names.
   
7. Check the Permissions box to see if you’ve got the Write permission.
   
8. Click OK to finish.
   

To disable add-ins, follow these steps:

1. Open a Word document and click on File.
   
2. Go to Options, and from there, choose Add-Ins.
   
3. From the Add-ins box, choose the one you want to disable. Check its type listed on the right.
   
4. Navigate down to Manage and choose that add-in type from the list.
   
5. Click on Go.
   
6. Make sure the boxes for the desired add-ins are unchecked.
   
7. Click on OK and repeat the steps for all the necessary add-ins.
   

When you set the default font to your preference, repeat the steps, but enable the add-ins by checking the boxes in the Manage list.

What Other Settings Can I Change?

If you often have to use settings different than the default settings, it can be quite frustrating to adjust a document each time you need to type something. For that reason, it’s good that you can customize the documents to suit your needs. Here’s what you can change besides the font: line spacing, paragraph spacing, page orientation, margins, and more.

To change any of these settings, navigate to the arrow in the bottom right corner of the corresponding section within the toolbar. In the pop-up dialogue boxes, you’ll be able to choose the desired settings and then save your changes by clicking on Set as Default.

Customize Your Word Docs

The right font can do a lot for you. Whether you’re typing a serious document, or choosing a font to suit your brand’s identity, fonts can make all the difference.

There are plenty of fonts in Word to choose from, and today you can even add your own. You’ll recognize many of them while browsing through different websites, but there are also ones that almost no one likes to use. Did you know that Comic Sans is one of the least favorite fonts ever?

What’s your favorite font? Did you make it the default font for your Microsoft Word documents? Let us know in the comments section below.