Aptos Narrow

Anonymous
2024-01-23T17:33:54+00:00

Can someone explain the reasoning behind Microsoft's decision to switch its default font to Aptos Narrow? This is an uncommon font. Adobe's distiller doesn't know what to do with it. Even some who are using different versions of Office are having a hard time dealing with the sudden and completely unexpected change.

I hope that the default is switched back to a common font type SOON, because this is going to be a BIG PROBLEM for systems administrators.

This is one of the dumbest things Microsoft has ever done, and that list is a long one.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For business | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2024-02-13T14:59:23+00:00

Was there a feature request that had tons of votes, all demanding a default font change from Calibri to Aptos Narrow and that it would be a wonderful change that would significantly enhance the lives of Microsoft Office users across the globe?

If there was such a feature request, then I apologize for the rest of this post.

Or was the "extensive research and testing" something that was performed internally in a lab at Microsoft with insufficient outside influence?

My dear Excel team (I love Excel), please try to keep new features focused on the things that people in the community are requesting. The Power BI team does a great job of this. They work on the things that people are requesting rather than forcing "ivory tower" decisions on the product.

Honestly, this is the kind of thing that "Steve Ballmer Microsoft" would have done. Did Steve Ballmer make a visit to the Microsoft campus recently and wield his influence with the old-timers on the Excel team? 😀

Was this answer helpful?

90+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2024-01-23T17:50:39+00:00

Microsoft made the decision to switch to Aptos Narrow as the default font for Microsoft Office because it is a modern, clean, and legible font that is optimized for on-screen reading. It was chosen based on extensive research and testing to improve the overall user experience.

However, we understand that some users may prefer a different font, and we encourage you to customize your font settings to your liking.

Was this answer helpful?

70+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

55 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-11T22:08:41+00:00

    That is great for you (I'm not being sarcastic), but babysitter Microsoft should have given you and us the option to change it instead of deciding for us. And guess what I would have said when they changed the default to Calibri? Yup, I would have said, "Stop changing my settings and configurations!".

    Just because it has been done before doesn't mean it is a practice that should be continued. Women weren't allowed to work outside of secretary/personal assistant positions, so....should we go back to that being the norm? Yes, that comparison is a stretch.

    The point is this, I have things set up the way I want. I don't want it changed and if I do, I'll change it my damn self. I just realized the fonts in my emails were different because I had Craptos, sorry, Aptos (childish, yes I know and I don't care), as the default but my signature was in Calibri. I also had to spend 45 minutes fighting the babysitter Microsoft in changing my default settings back to what they were because they wouldn't save.

    If someone wants to have Microsoft pick what is best for them, then they can select that as a setting and let Microsoft manage everything for them; There isn't anything wrong with that. For the rest of us, there needs to be a "don't screw with my options" setting, which should be the default. I've lost track of the times I get things set up just the way I like just to have an update wipe it all away, which is why I never, ever, ever update.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-02-25T19:45:16+00:00

    When I checked Options > General > When creating new workbooks Use this as the default font:, Body Font was selected.
    Where are the default Body Font and Headings Font selected?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-02-08T14:30:28+00:00

    You may raise it to Microsoft.

    Please contact your admin/IT department create a support ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin Center> Support> New service request. Support team there will have the correct channel and resources to help you investigate more and find what exactly the reason has caused this situation.

    Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments