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: Finding Missing Fonts.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 15, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Kevin has various old documents that contain formatting for fonts that his company no longer uses. He can list these fonts by using the font substitution tool, but he cannot always locate the fonts in the document using Find and Replace. Kevin wonders if there is a foolproof way of locating all instances of the missing fonts. He knows he could simply substitute the font automatically, but he needs to see where the font is used so he can determine which font should be used to replace it.
One option is to go ahead and use the font substitution tool to replace the old fonts with a new font that you know you don't use for any other purpose, such as Varsity, Vagabond, or one of the script fonts. You can then use the Find and Replace feature of Word to search for the new font, examine the context, and then make replacements as you deem appropriate.
You can also use the Styles and Formatting pane to examine any instances where that font is used, if you prefer. In the pane, have Word display all the formatting in use. Then look for any styles that utilize the replacement font. You can then use the tools in the pane to display the number of occurrences of the formatting and, if desired, apply a different style to those elements.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12693) 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: Finding Missing Fonts.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
If you have a document that has some sort of keyword within it (such as "Section") you may want to automatically format ...
Discover MoreApplying bold and italics formatting to text is easy in Word. If you want to apply bold and italics simultaneously, you ...
Discover MoreWant a cool shortcut to make your text bold? Here's a method that fits in wonderfully with how things are done in the ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2020-09-14 14:08:49
Rachel
Thank you so much for this article! I'm searching for a font in a 100+ page document and this will make it so much easier to find the one that's missing!
2020-05-23 07:08:43
Yateen
Why not use your own macro ListFontsInDocs?
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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:
Comments