Err Msg: "Font Is Not Available" When Inserting WordArt Object

• Microsoft WordArt, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.51
• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a
• Microsoft Publisher for Windows, version 2.0
• Microsoft Works for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0
• Microsoft Office for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.2
• Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When you create or open a Microsoft WordArt object for editing, the following error message may be displayed

   The <font name> font is not available.

   The font originally used to create this effect is not available.
   WordArt will use the closest available font.

This error message occurs each time you open the WordArt object, even after WordArt has already formatted the object with the substitute font.

CAUSE

When WordArt cannot find the TrueType font used to create the WordArt object, the above message appears. After you choose OK to dismiss the error, WordArt selects an available font to use instead. Arial is the default font in WordArt; therefore, this problem usually occurs on computers that do not have the Arial TrueType font installed. WordArt selects a TrueType font with similar font metrics to the requested font, such as Times New Roman.

The next time you open the WordArt object for editing, Word displays the error message again, even though the font substitution is already done.

WORKAROUND

Method 1: To avoid the error message each time you open the WordArt object

          for editing, manually format it for a different TrueType font.

          Fonts option in Windows Control Panel.

          If you cannot install the requested font, you can either accept
          the substitute font each time you open the object or reformat the
          object with another TrueType font.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in WordArt versions 2.0 and 2.0a, which are supplied with Word versions 6.0 and 6.0a for Windows, Microsoft Publisher version 2.0 for Windows, and Microsoft Works version 3.0 for Windows. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, pages 588-590