How to Import New or Custom Fonts to Microsoft 365

Adding fonts to Windows will make them available in applications

By
Cindy Grigg
Cindy Grigg
Writer
Cindy Grigg is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a productivity writer who teaches Microsoft Office software to students and pros.
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Updated on February 9, 2023

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To add new fonts to the Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 suite, you must install the fonts in Windows directly. Office reads its font list from the font list in Windows.

These instructions apply to all versions of Microsoft Office and 365 for the Windows desktop. Installing fonts on a Mac follows different procedures.

Finding Fonts

Font files are everywhere on the web, some of which are free and some of which are paid. Professional designers use services like Adobe TypeKit, which automatically installs fonts.

Watch for dodgy websites that offer executable installers. Let common sense prevail; if a site is filled with ads and looks sketchy, it probably is.

Adding Fonts to Windows

Windows fonts

To add a font to windows, simply drag the file into the Fonts folder, which typically resides at c:\windows\fonts. This action prompts Windows to install the font.

Alternatively, open the Font Settings tool within Windows Settings. Press Win+I and type font into the search box to open the Font Settings tool. Drag the font file into the box to install it. Use Font Settings to manage all of your fonts.

The Font Settings tool includes a link to download or purchase new fonts from the Windows Store. This approach is safer than downloading fonts from obscure websites.

Activating New Fonts

After you've added a font to Windows, it's available to all programs on the computer. However, you must exit and re-launch the application to reload its internal font cache. Microsoft programs do not re-scan the system font index while they're running — they only scan it when the program initializes.

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