The quickest way to change Excel's default font

Open Excel and go to File > Options (on Windows) or Excel > Preferences (on Mac). In the Options window, select General from the left menu. Under "When creating new workbooks," you'll see a dropdown for Use this as the default font. Click it, choose your font from the list, set the size if you want, then click OK. Every new workbook you create after that will open with your chosen font instead of Excel's standard Calibri.

This change only affects new workbooks. Existing files keep their current formatting — you won't accidentally alter work you've already done. If you want to change the font in a file that's already open, you'll use a different method (covered below).

Key Takeaways

  • The default font setting is in File > Options > General, under "When creating new workbooks," and applies only to new files you create after the change.
  • To change the font in a workbook that's already open, select all cells with Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac), then pick a new font from the toolbar.
  • Excel's standard default is Calibri 11-point, but you can set it to any font installed on your computer.
  • Changing the default font does not affect templates or files shared with others who have different defaults set on their machines.

Changing the font in an open workbook

If you want to change the font in a file you're already working on, press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) to select every cell in the sheet. Then look at the font dropdown in the toolbar — it usually shows the current font name. Click the dropdown and choose a new font. The change applies to all selected cells at once.

If you only want to change the font in certain cells or columns, click and drag to select just those cells instead of using Ctrl+A. The same toolbar dropdown will change only what you've highlighted. This is useful when you want to keep headers in one font and data in another.

Where to find the font dropdown in different Excel versions

In Excel 2019 and later (Windows), the font dropdown is in the Home tab on the ribbon, on the left side of the formatting tools. In Excel for Mac, it's also in the Home tab. If you're using Excel Online (the web version), the font dropdown appears in the toolbar at the top of the sheet, and the process is the same: select cells and click the dropdown to choose a new font.

The font size box sits right next to the font name dropdown in all versions. You can change size and font at the same time by selecting both from their respective dropdowns.

Why your default font choice might not stick

If you set a default font but new workbooks still open in Calibri, check whether you're opening a template or a file based on a template. Templates have their own font settings that override your default. You can edit the template itself to change what font it uses, but that's a separate step from changing your general default.

Also, if you share a workbook with someone else, they'll see the fonts you chose, but if they create a new blank workbook, it will use their own default font setting, not yours. Font defaults are personal to each computer and user account.

Fonts that work reliably across computers

If you plan to share your workbooks with others, stick to fonts that come built-in on most computers: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Courier New, and Georgia are safe choices. Decorative or specialty fonts may not display the same way on someone else's machine if they don't have that font installed.

When you send a file to someone and they open it on a computer that doesn't have your chosen font, Excel automatically substitutes a similar font. The layout might shift slightly, and the file may look different than you intended. For shared work, simpler fonts are usually the better choice.

Resetting to Excel's original default

If you want to go back to Calibri 11-point (Excel's factory setting), return to File > Options > General and change the default font dropdown back to Calibri. Set the size to 11. Click OK, and new workbooks will open with the standard font again.

This doesn't undo changes you've already made to existing files — it only affects new workbooks created after you make the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different default font for different types of workbooks?

No, Excel has one default font setting that applies to all new workbooks. If you need different fonts for different purposes, you can create a template with your preferred font and base new files on that template instead. Templates let you control fonts, colors, and layout all at once.

Does changing my default font affect files I've already saved?

No. Changing the default font only affects new workbooks you create after the change. Any file you've already saved keeps its current formatting. If you want to change the font in an existing file, open it and select all cells, then pick a new font from the toolbar.

What if I don't see my font in the dropdown list?

The dropdown shows only fonts installed on your computer. If you need a font that isn't there, you'll need to install it through your operating system first. On Windows, go to Settings > Fonts and read or install the font file. On Mac, use Font Book to add new fonts.

Can I set a default font size along with the font name?

Yes. In File > Options > General, after you choose the font name, you'll see a size field next to it. Set both the font and size, then click OK. Both will become your default for new workbooks.