Changing the default font in Microsoft Word for Mac is easy and allows you to customize the look and feel of documents you create. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to change the default font on Word for Mac.
Why Change the Default Font?
The default font in recent versions of Word for Mac is Calibri 11 point. While Calibri is a clean and professional font, you may want to change it for several reasons:
- Personal preference – You may simply prefer working with a different font like Times New Roman or Garamond
- Readability – Certain fonts are easier for some people to read. Changing the default allows documents you create to be more readable by default
- Branding – Using a specific font like Arial can help content you create match your brand style guide
Changing the default font ensures any new Word documents you create will use the font you specify rather than the standard Calibri option.
How to Change the Default Font in Word for Mac
Changing the default font in Word for Mac only takes a few clicks:
1. Open the Font Dialog Box
- Open Word for Mac
- Select Format > Font from the menu bar
- Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut: ⌘ + D
- This opens the Font dialog box
2. Select New Default Font
- In the Font dialog box, use the Font drop-down menu to select your new desired default font
- Some popular choices are Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond
- Optionally, choose font style (bold, italic etc.) and size
3. Save Selection as Default
- With your desired font selected, click the Set As Default button
- Word will ask you to confirm changing the default font
- Choose the option for “All documents based on the Normal template”
- This changes the default for all new Word documents rather than just the current one
- Click OK to confirm
4. Verify the New Default Font
To confirm your new default font is set:
- Close and re-open Word for Mac
- Create a new blank document
- The new document should open with the default font you specified
- Try typing some text to verify the font sticks
If the font does not change, you may need to reset Word preferences by deleting its preference files.
Choosing the Best Default Font
When picking a new default font, consider:
- Professional fonts – Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, and Georgia are common professional options
- Readability – Sans serif fonts like Arial are typically most readable for long blocks of text
- Personal preference – Pick a font you find visually pleasing and enjoyable to work with
- Brand style – Does your brand have a specific font in its style guide? Using this ensures consistency
In most cases, sans serif fonts like Arial make a good standard default. But take some time to experiment with options and find what works best for your needs.
Why You May Want Multiple Defaults
While it’s easy to change the global default font in Word for Mac, you may want to set different defaults for different types of documents:
- Formal Documents – Times New Roman 12 point is a common formal default
- Informal Documents – Arial 11 point works well for internal documents
- Print vs Digital – Optimize font size and style for the output medium
- Brand Style – Have a branded font for marketing materials
To support multiple defaults, create custom Word templates for different purposes, each with their own font set as default. Then base new documents off the appropriate template.
Tips for Setting the Default Font
Here are some additional tips when changing the default font in Word for Mac:
- Check font availability – Make sure the font is installed on all devices/users that will access documents
- Use common fonts – Stick to common fonts like Arial to prevent display issues
- Check branding rules – Review your brand style guide to pick an on-brand default
- Preview before implementing – View some test documents before rolling out to all users
Taking the time to find the right default font is a great way to boost your productivity in Word for Mac. Follow the steps in this article to change it to your preferred option.
