How to Add Microsoft Word Fonts

Microsoft Word comes with a variety of basic fonts, such as Times New Roman, but utilizing a new font can spice up any document you create. A new font, in combination with other visual elements such as pictures and borders, can make brochures and flyers more attractive. Follow these steps to add new fonts.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Microsoft Word or Office
• Internet connection

Instructions

1. Click the Start button on the Windows XP toolbar at the bottom of the screen, then place your cursor over the Control Panel icon.

2. Click Fonts on the pop-up menu.

3. Click File on the Menu Bar in the new open fonts window and then select Install New Font from the drop-down menu.

4. Select the font you would like to install from the fonts pop-up window. You may need to select a different folder to search for fonts if there are none located in the default location.

5. If no new fonts were found you will need to locate new fonts to download or install. A good location for finding new fonts is the internet, where a simple search will locate many free fonts available for download. Additionally, computer stores have fonts for sale and many fonts are available for purchase from various sites on the internet.

6. Highlight the font you would like to install and push the OK button.

7. Open Microsoft Word by choosing it from the Programs menu that appears in the Start menu. Microsoft Word is usually listed in the Microsoft Office Program group.

8. Once Microsoft Word is open, click the format button from the top menu, then select font.

9. Choose the font you would like to use from the font pop-up window. A preview pane shows how the font will look in your document. Changing the appearance of each font, such as making it bold or adjusting the size, is also possible from the font pop-up window.

10. Enable the formatting toolbar to allow fonts to be changed without accessing the pop-up menu. Select view from the menu bar, then click toolbars. Choose formatting from the drop-down menu and an area at the top of the document will show a box that you can click to automatically change the font and text size.

Tips & Warnings

• When adding fonts from a CD, you will need to select the drive where the disk is located in the Install New Fonts pop-up window.

• Limit the number of fonts you use in any one document to prevent clutter and a disorganized appearance. Instead, use only 1-3 fonts per document or use different fonts to clearly differentiate between types of information.

• Many fonts that you download from the internet come in a .zip format. These files will need to be un-zipped to a folder on your computer. Once downloaded, follow the instructions contained in the file.

• Depending on your version of Microsoft Windows, you may need to look under the Appearances and Themes section of your control panel to locate the fonts folder.