Keep Your PowerPoint Presentation Fonts From Changing

Embed the fonts to prevent unexpected substitutions

By
Wendy Russell
Wendy Russell
Writer
  • Brock University
Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software.
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Updated on February 22, 2020

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.

Powerpoint Slide
Microsoft

Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003; and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

Embedding Fonts in PowerPoint

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

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

  1. Go to File 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 check next to 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 and make edits in a differnt font. The second option permits viewing and editing, but it increases the file size.

    Microsoft PowerPoint dialog showing Options.

  5. Select OK.

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

Embedding Fonts in PowerPoint 2007

  1. Select the Office button.

  2. Select Save As.

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

  4. Place a check next to Embed Fonts in File and make one of the following choices:

    • Choose Embed only the characters used in the presentation if you want to reduce the file size.
    • Choose Embed all characters if you plan to ask other people to edit the presentation and want the edits to be made in the same font as the original presentation file.

  5. You now have a working, embedded font in the presentation.

Embedding Fonts in PowerPoint 2003

  1. Select File > Save As.

  2. From the Tools menu at the top of the Save As dialog box, choose Save Options and place a check next 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.

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