Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Excel in Microsoft 365, and 2021. 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: Changing the Default Font.

Changing the Default Font

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 25, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Excel in Microsoft 365, and 2021

David wonders how he can change the default font for Excel when he opens a new workbook. Setting the default font that you want Excel to use is actually quite easy. All you need to do is follow these steps:

  1. Display the Excel Options dialog box. (In Excel 2007 click the Office button and then click Excel Options. In Excel 2010 and later versions display the File tab of the ribbon and then click Options.)
  2. Make sure Popular (Excel 2007) or General (Excel 2010 and later versions) is clicked at the left side of the screen. (See Figure 1.)

    3. Figure 1. The General options of the Excel Options dialog box.

  3. Change the Use this Font drop-down list (Excel 2007 and Excel 2010) or the Use This As the Default Font drop-down list (Excel 2013 and Excel 2016) so that it reflects the font you want used.
  4. If desired, use the Font Size drop-down list to pick the size of font you want Excel to use.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Restart Excel.

Now every time you create a new workbook, Excel will use these settings as the default. The only times it won't is if you base a new workbook on a template or store a template named Book.xltx or Book.xltm in the XLStart folder. (In this second case, you've overridden how Excel formats a new workbook by whatever is set within the Book.xltx or Book.xltm template file.)

Also keep in mind that these steps won't change the font in any previously created workbooks; those stay as they were when you saved them.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (12618) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Excel in Microsoft 365, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Changing the Default Font.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Using Desktop Themes from Around the World

When you install Windows, it installs desktop themes appropriate to where you live. You can access a number of themes ...

Discover More

Keyboard Shortcut for Switching between Workbooks

When you use Excel with multiple workbooks open at the same time, you can use the ribbon tools to switch between ...

Discover More

Cannot Add Worksheets to a Workbook

If you cannot add a worksheet to your workbook, it could be because the workbook is protected. This tip shows how to ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

F4 No Longer Changes Cell References

Excel has a wide variety of keyboard shortcuts that can help make it easier to use the program. When one of those ...

Discover More

Stopping an Excel Window from Maximizing

When you drag an Excel window near the edge of your screen, you may end up having that window occupy more of the screen ...

Discover More

Selecting a Suggestion with the Keyboard

Excel tries to anticipate what you want to type into a cell, particularly when it comes to entering formulas. Here are ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 0 + 4?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2023 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.