Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Toggling Font Assignments in a Macro.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 20, 2025)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Jacie wrote that she had created a macro that set text to Times New Roman. She wanted to change the macro to be a toggle between Times New Roman and Arial Narrow Bold and wondered how to do it.
The easiest way to do it in a macro is simply to check the font used in your selected text, and then take steps based on what you find. For instance, the following macro will only take action if the selected text is either Times New Roman or Arial Narrow:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
Sub ChangeSelectedFont()
Select Case Selection.Font.Name
Case "Times New Roman"
Selection.Font.Name = "Arial Narrow"
Selection.Font.Bold = True
Case "Arial Narrow"
Selection.Font.Name = "Times New Roman"
Selection.Font.Bold = False
End Select
End Sub
There is a different, non-macro way that may make some sense, however. Why not use styles? You can define styles to encompass any formatting attributes desired. For instance, you could define one style that uses Times New Roman, and another that uses Arial Narrow Bold. You could apply the styles at will and you could even search and replace using the styles.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1053) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Toggling Font Assignments in a Macro.
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