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
    2017-07-09T02:51:41+00:00

    I am using Windows 7 as the operating system and Office 13. 

    Thanks for answering.

    Kathy Groner

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  2. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-07-08T22:42:54+00:00

    What version of Office are you using and one what Operating System - Windows or Mac.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-07-08T22:38:45+00:00

    I tried to do as you suggested, but the font and color are blacked out. What do I do to open them? Sigh - I have a feeling there is no answer to this.

    Do you also know how to change the default font in MS Outlook? It says Times Roman 12 but I have only a tiny print that is stuck at about a 2 in size - I have to change any email I send out to a 48 to type it - and have to remember to set it back to 12 or someone will get huge letters. I wish I knew why all of my MS products seem to have weird problems.

    Thanks,

    Kathy

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  4. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-05-30T23:24:07+00:00

    Do you have a document open?  Preferably a new document.  Do you have  theme selected? Or, is the document that is the active document protected in some way.

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