Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Understanding Monospace Fonts.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 4, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365
In general, there are two types of fonts: proportional space and monospace. Proportional space fonts are designed so every letter only occupies the minimum horizontal space necessary for the letter. Thus, an "i" takes less space than a "w." Monospace typefaces, on the other hand, are designed so every letter and character takes the same amount of horizontal space. If you have ever spent any time working on typewriters, then you are familiar with monospace fonts—all the fonts used by typewriters fall into this category.
You can use either type of font in Excel—the only requirement is that the font be available within Windows. The type of font you select for use in your worksheets depends, in large part, on the purpose for which you are creating your worksheet. Monospace fonts are great for drafts and for pure numerical analysis. This is because every single character is the same width—the lack of "fanciness" means you can focus directly on the numbers. If you are creating a worksheet for more formal purposes or for publishing, then you will want to look toward some of the proportional fonts available on your system.
One important thing to keep in mind is that in virtually every font available, numbers are always monospace. Thus, if your worksheet contains only (or mostly) numeric data, then which font you choose to use is a purely aesthetic decision; the numbers will still line up in the font you choose.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (12573) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Understanding Monospace Fonts.
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2022-02-04 08:32:01
Interesting, Allen. Thanks! Always appreciate these explanations you give to help us gain a bigger-picture understanding. I always start my workday with your tips. Thanks so much!
2018-02-24 23:56:29
Alex B
I didn't know about the numbers always being monospace that is definitely worth knowing.
Another time to use monospace is when you are working with a text file (standard print file). To view it in Excel so that everything lines up, select the whole sheet and select one of the Monospace fonts. This is also a helpful way to view the data if you are trying to analyse the data to develop formulas or macros to split the data.
Truetype monospace fonts include Courier New, Lucinda Sans Typewriter.
(I have found that you have to have Courier New to be set to size 8 or larger - at size 7 it doesn't line up)
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
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