In Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, 2003, or 2007, how do I change the default font?

The default font in Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, and 2003 is 12 point Times New Roman. The default font in Microsoft Word 2007 is 11 point Calibri. You can use either of the two methods described below for your version of Windows to change the default font size and type.

On this page:

• Microsoft Word 2007
  • Setting the default within Word
  • Modifying the template file
• Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, or 2003
  • Setting the default within Word
  • Modifying the template file

Microsoft Word 2007

Setting the default within Word

1. Launch Word. To open the Font dialog box, either click the button in the lower right corner of the "Font" group or press Ctrl-d .
   
   
2. Choose the font type and size that you want to be the default every time you open Word.
   
   
3. Click the Default... button in the bottom left corner of the Font window.
   
   
4. When prompted to confirm, click Yes.

Note: The user interface for Office 2007 programs is significantly different from that of older versions, and new terms and concepts apply to this Office suite. For information about the new terminology and features, see For Office 2007, what are some new interface features?

Modifying the template file

The other way to set the default font is to modify the global template file normal.dotm (in most cases) and/or normal.dotx (in a minority of cases):

1. Click Start and select Find or Search, and then Files or folders... or For Files or Folders... .

   Note: The Windows XP default desktop view and Start menu are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base instructions assume you are using Classic View. For information about switching your Windows XP default view to Classic View, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?

2. Search for the file normal.dot . This will return both the normal.dotm and, if you have it, the normal.dotx template files.
   
   
3. Select one of the files, and then double-click the filename to open it.
   
   
4. After the file is open, you can change the font size and type, and then save this file. You can then repeat this for the other template file, assuming you have it installed (you may not have the normal.dotx template file).
   
   
5. After saving this file, close Word, and then open it again.

Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, or 2003

Setting the default within Word

1. Launch Word, click Format, and then click Font... .
   
   
2. Choose the font type and size that you want to be the default every time you open Word.
   
   
3. Click the Default... button in the bottom left corner of the Font window.
   
   
4. When prompted to confirm, click Yes.

Modifying the normal.dot file

The other way to set the default font is to modify the global template file normal.dot:

1. Click Start, then Find or Search, and then Files or folders... or For Files or Folders... .

   Note: The Windows XP default desktop view and Start menu are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base instructions assume you are using Classic View. For information about switching your Windows XP default view to Classic View, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?

2. Search for the file normal.dot .
   
   
3. When the file is located, double-click the filename to open it.
   
   
4. After the file is open, you can change the font size and type, and then save this file.
   
   
5. After saving this file, close Word, and then open it again.

Also see:

• When I copy and paste text into my word processor, why does the font change?
• In Microsoft Word for Windows, what are some keyboard shortcuts?