How do I change the default font in Word 2013?

Anonymous
2013-04-03T20:38:32+00:00

I am using Office 2013 on a Windows 7 platform. When I open Word the font is set to Calibri size 11. I would like the default to be Times Roman size 12. I cannot seem to find this as an option.

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Jay Freedman 208.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2013-04-03T22:02:00+00:00

In the old days, you would modify the Normal style and click the "New documents based on this template" option in the Modify Style dialog to make it change Normal.dotm. While that still sorta works, it now has some nasty side effects (such as not taking effect in tables). The right way:

  • Open a new blank document.
  • Click the Design tab.
  • Click the Fonts button (near the right end of the Document Formatting group) and click Customize Fonts at the bottom of the gallery.
  • Change the Body Font box to Times New Roman, and optionally change the Heading Font and the Name entries. Click OK
  • Click the Set as Default button (to the right of the Fonts button) and OK the prompt.
  • To change the size, first display the Styles pane (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S) and click the Manage Styles button (third from left at the bottom).
  • Go to the Set Defaults tab of the dialog. With the "+Body" entry selected in the Font box, select 12 in the Size box. Click the "New documents based on this template" option and click OK.
  • Close Word. If you're prompted to save the Normal template, say yes.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-08-06T14:22:29+00:00

    Greetings,

    I've tried this method (and the shorter one below) with no results.

    1. I cannot get my template (normal) to save once I close Word. I've reset the font/size/paragraph spacing for new docs, by updating Normal and modifying it.  Any new files I open while in Word follow that style, but when I close the program, it defaults back to Calibri 11 and paragraph defaults.
    2. Also, any time I create a macro, they work on the new files, again, until I close Word. Upon reopening the program, I get the error message “the macro cannot be found or has been disabled because of your macro security settings”. I’ve changed the settings to accept all macros.

    I feel the problem has something to do with my “normal” doc.

    It may also be that Office 2013 installed itself on my computer along with 2007.  I would like to keep 2007, since I train others, and I need to see that interface to create tutorials.

    Thank you very much,

    Dave W.

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  2. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-07-27T05:30:08+00:00

    That article applies to 2010, and as Jay said, it still sorta works, but it now has some nasty side effects (such as not taking effect in tables).

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-27T02:11:07+00:00

    Not sure what the above* is all about but a much simpler—and the correct (I believe)—answer can be found here:  

    http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/change-or-set-the-default-font-HP010368862.aspx

    …just tried the the above link and changing my default font in Word 2013 took all of ~2 minutes (including reading the steps).

    * please clarify if I am missing something.

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