Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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: Embedding TrueType Fonts.

Embedding TrueType Fonts

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 2, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021


1

If you create a document that you want to share with others, it is helpful for the other people to have the fonts you use within your document. If they don't have the fonts, then Word substitutes a similar font for the original fonts you used. The result may not be to your liking. One solution is to include the fonts with your document. You can automatically embed some types of fonts by following these steps:

  1. Display the Word Options dialog box. (In Word 2007 click the Office button and then click Word Options. In Word 2010 or a later version display the File tab of the ribbon and then click Options.)
  2. At the left side of the dialog box click Save. (See Figure 1.)
  3. Figure 1. The Save options of the Word Options dialog box.

  4. Make sure the Embed Fonts in the File check box is selected.
  5. If you will be using a small number of characters in a particular font, choose the Embed Only the Characters Used in the Document check box.
  6. To save space in the document, choose the Do Not Embed Common System Fonts check box.
  7. Click on OK.
  8. Work with your documents as normal.

You should realize that embedding fonts can increase the size of your document files. In fact, if you use a lot of fonts, it can increase the size drastically. In addition, not all fonts are "embeddable." Some fonts are protected by their creators against distribution by embedding. If you are curious about whether a particular font can be embedded, you can either contact the vendor or download a free Font Properties Editor from Microsoft. You can download it at the following address:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/tools/font-properties-editor

The editor updates Windows so it displays more information when you right-click on a font file and choose Properties. One of the pieces of information displayed is whether the font is protected or not. If it is protected, it cannot be embedded in a Word document.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3589) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Embedding TrueType Fonts.

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. ...

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What is one less than 8?

2024-10-04 03:32:31

Graham Shipley

Dear Allen
I'm reading your page on Embedding TrueType Fonts. The link https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/tools/font-properties-editor doesn't work for me.
Best wishes
Graham Shipley (gjs@le.ac.uk)


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