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.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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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
    2015-03-03T20:39:25+00:00

    Thank you. It was as easy as you stated.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-12T21:45:12+00:00

    Just out of curiosity, is the programmer(s) who is/are responsible for making this process to change the default font and font size from something nobody uses to something everybody uses, literally everybody in academia, and probably literally everybody else as well, autistic?

    Just curious.  I work with autistic people and wanted to know if I should encourage them to apply to work at Microsoft.  It's very hard for them to find jobs.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-08T01:44:25+00:00

    Thank you, Suzanne.  You are so right!  Now that you mention it, I do remember.  I do have Word 2007.  A few months ago, I purchased Office Home & Student 2013 (as I first mentioned) for my grandson and kept the box here at our house.  So I was thinking that was what I had.  Guess I was a little mixed up! :-)  Well, at least I did get the default font changed, and I am satisfied with the way things are now.  Thanks for your input.

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