Keep Your PowerPoint Presentation Fonts From Changing

Embed the fonts to prevent unexpected substitutions

Powerpoint Slide

Microsoft

by Wendy Russell
Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software.
Updated December 21, 2018

In all versions of Microsoft PowerPoint, fonts may change when you view a presentation on a different computer. It occurs when the fonts used in the preparation of the presentation are not installed on the computer running the presentation.

When you run a PowerPoint presentation on a computer that doesn't have the fonts used in the presentation, the computer substitutes what it decides is a similar font, often with unexpected and sometimes disastrous results. The good news is there is a quick fix for this: Embed the fonts in the presentation when you save it. Then the fonts are included in the presentation itself and don't have to be installed on other computers.

There are some limitations. Embedding only works with TrueType fonts. Postscript/Type 1 and OpenType fonts do not support embedding at all.

Note: Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003.

Embedding Fonts in PowerPoint for Windows 2010, 2013, and 2016

The font embedding process is simple in all versions of PowerPoint.

  1. Click the File tab or the PowerPoint menu, depending on your version and select Options.

  2. In the Options dialog box, select Save.

  3. At the bottom of the options list in the right panel, place a checkmark in the box labeled Embed fonts in the file.

  4. Choose either Embed only the characters used in the presentation or Embed all characters. The first options let other people view the presentation but not edit it. The second option permits viewing and editing, but it increases the file size.

    Microsoft PowerPoint dialog showing Options.

  5. Click OK.

Unless you have size restrictions, Embed all characters is the preferred option.

Embedding Fonts in PowerPoint 2007

  1. Click the Office button.

  2. Click Save As.

  3. On the Tools menu in the Save As dialog box, click Save Options.

  4. Check the box for Embed Fonts in File and make one of the following choices :

    By default, the selection is Embed only the characters used in the presentation, which is the best choice for reducing file size.

    The second option, Embed all characters, is best when the presentation may be edited by other people.

  5. You should now have a working, embedded font.

Embedding Fonts in PowerPoint 2003

  1. Choose File > Save As.

  2. From the Tools menu at the top of the Save As dialog box, choose Save Options and check the box to Embed True Type Fonts.

  3. Leave the default option set to Embed all characters (best for editing by others) unless you have little room left on your computer. Embedding fonts in the presentation increases the file size.