Setting the Default Font in Word for Windows

ID: Q187308

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0

SUMMARY

The purpose of this article is to describe how to set the desired default font in Word for Windows.

MORE INFORMATION

Word 7.x

The default font for Word is defined in the Normal style of the Normal.dot template. The Normal.dot template is used if you do not specify another template. To change the style of the default font, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click New.

2. Click the General tab, click Blank Document, and then click OK.

3. On the Format menu, click Font.

4. Choose the font name, point size, and any attributes that you

   want as defaults for documents based on the Normal.dot template.

5. Click the Default button.

   You are prompted with the following message:

      Do you want to change the default font <font name>, <point size>?
      This change affects all new documents based on the NORMAL template.

6. Click Yes to confirm that you want all documents that you create that

   are based on the current template to reflect this change to the Normal
   style.

7. On the File menu, click Save All.

   Word will not prompt you to save the changes to the Normal.dot unless
   you have the option "Prompt to Save Normal template" selected on the
   Save tab of the Options dialog box (on the Tools menu, click Options).

Word 6.x

1. On the File menu, click New.

2. From the Template list, select Normal, and click OK.

3. On the Format menu, click Font.

4. Choose the font name, point size, and any attributes that you want

   as defaults for documents based on the Normal.dot template.

5. Click the Default button.

   You are prompted with the following message:

      Do you want to change the default font <font name>, <point size>?

      This change affects all new documents based on the NORMAL
      template.

6. Click Yes to confirm that you want all documents you create that are

   based on the current template to reflect this change to the Normal
   style.

7. On the File menu, click Save All.

   Word will not prompt you to save the changes to the Normal.dot unless
   you have the option "Prompt to Save Normal template" selected on the
   Save tab of the Options dialog box (on the Tools menu, click Options).

Word 2.x

1. On the File menu, click New.

2. Select Document in the New box and select Normal in the Use Template

   box. Click OK.

3. On the Format menu, click Character.

4. Choose the font name, point size, and any attributes that you want

   as defaults for documents based on the Normal.dot template.

5. Click the Use as Default button.

   You are prompted with the following message:

      Do you want to change the font for the Normal style to <font name>?

   This change affects all new documents based on the NORMAL template.

6. Click Yes to confirm that you want all documents you

   create that are based on the global template to reflect this change to
   the Normal style.

7. Hold the SHIFT key while you click the File menu. Click Save All.

   You are prompted with the following message:

      Do you want to save the global glossary and command changes?

   Click Yes.

Word 1.x

1. On the Format menu, click Define Styles.

2. Choose the Normal style.

3. Click the Character button.

4. Set the desired default font and size. Click OK.

5. Choose the Options button.

6. Select the Add To Template option.

7. Click OK.

8. On the File menu, click Save All.

   You are prompted with the following message:

      Save Global glossary and command changes.

   Click Yes.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word for Windows User's Reference," version 1.1, pages 346-348

Additional query words: changing

Keywords          : kbdta wordnt winword ntword word6 winword2 word7 word95 kbFont kbformat 
Version           : WINDOWS:1.0,1.1,1.1a,2.0,2.0a,2.0a-CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; winnt:6.0
Platform          : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: January 30, 1999