Microsoft's default font across all of its Office applications is Aptos.
The New Standard: Aptos
Aptos, formerly known as Bierstadt, was officially rolled out as the new default font for Microsoft Office applications in July 2023. This change marked a significant shift from Calibri, which had been the standard for nearly two decades. Aptos is designed to be modern, professional, and highly legible, making it suitable for a wide range of documents and presentations.
The transition to Aptos reflects Microsoft's continuous effort to refresh the visual experience of its productivity suite, ensuring that the default appearance aligns with contemporary design principles and user needs. Its clean lines and balanced proportions aim to enhance readability on screens of all sizes, from desktops to mobile devices.
Why the Change?
Microsoft embarked on a journey to find a new default font to offer a fresh perspective and better adapt to the evolving digital landscape. The goal was to select a font that felt both universal and contemporary, improving the overall user experience.
Key reasons for choosing Aptos include:
- Modern Aesthetics: Its sans-serif design offers a clean, crisp, and professional look that aligns with current design trends.
- Enhanced Legibility: Developed with clarity in mind, Aptos is highly readable across various resolutions and print qualities.
- Consistency: As the new default, Aptos provides a uniform visual identity across all Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Evolution of Microsoft Office Default Fonts
Microsoft Office has seen several default fonts over its history, each reflecting the design sensibilities of its era.
| Font Name | Period (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aptos | 2023 - Present | Modern, sans-serif, designed for digital clarity. |
| Calibri | 2007 - 2023 | Introduced with Office 2007, widely adopted. |
| Times New Roman | 1990s - 2007 (Word) | Classic serif font, standard for print documents. |
| Arial | Early 2000s (Excel/PowerPoint) | Common sans-serif, often used for presentations and spreadsheets. |
Learn more about the introduction of Aptos on the Microsoft 365 Blog.
How to Change Your Default Font
While Aptos is the new standard, users retain the flexibility to customize their default font settings in any Microsoft Office application.
To change the default font in applications like Microsoft Word:
- Open a new document.
- Go to the Home tab.
- In the Font group, click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner to open the Font dialog box.
- Select your desired Font, Font style, and Size.
- Click the Set As Default button in the bottom left.
- Choose to set it as the default for "This document only?" or "All documents based on the Normal template?" and click OK.
This allows users to personalize their experience, catering to specific stylistic preferences or corporate branding guidelines.
