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Fix Excel Changing the Font and Size of Email Addresses
Question details
The user needs to prevent Excel from applying an unexpected font and size to email addresses, a problem occurring predominantly in older workbooks.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing or viewing email addresses in older workbooks that were created in or converted from legacy formats (over 20 years old).
- Observed behavior
- Excel automatically changes the font style and size of the text when an email address is entered or viewed in the affected legacy workbook.
Before modifying your Office installation settings or converting legacy file formats, ensure you save a backup copy of your original workbook to a safe location to prevent accidental data loss.
Save the Legacy Workbook in the Modern XLSX Format
Converting your older legacy workbook into the current Excel format often resolves underlying formatting bugs and compatibility glitches.
Workbooks created more than 20 years ago utilize legacy structures that can conflict with modern Excel rendering engines, specifically when automatically applying hyperlink styles to email addresses.
With the affected workbook open, click on 'File' in the top left corner and select 'Save As'.
Choose your desired save location. In the 'Save as type' dropdown menu, select 'Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)'.
Click 'Save'. Close the workbook completely, and then reopen the newly created .xlsx file to see if the email address formatting issue is resolved.
Test Excel in Safe Mode and Disable COM Add-ins
Third-party COM add-ins can sometimes interfere with Excel's default behavior, causing unexpected formatting changes.
Run a Microsoft Office Online Repair
If the font changing issue occurs across all new workbooks and not just legacy files, your Office installation might require repair.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Excel Compatibility
If Microsoft Excel continues to struggle with formatting in legacy workbooks, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, easily handling both old (.xls) and new (.xlsx) formats without unwanted formatting changes.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick installation prompts.
- 3. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your legacy file to edit email addresses without unexpected font changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel change the font size when I type an email address?
When you type an email address, Excel automatically recognizes it and converts it into a clickable hyperlink. In doing so, it applies the default 'Hyperlink' cell style, which overrides your current cell formatting with its own predefined font, color, and size.
How do I change the default Hyperlink font style in Excel?
Navigate to the 'Home' tab and locate the 'Styles' group. Click on 'Cell Styles', find 'Hyperlink' under the Data and Model section, right-click it, and select 'Modify'. Click the 'Format' button to adjust the font, size, and color to match your preferred workbook style.
Can I stop Excel from automatically converting email addresses to hyperlinks?
Yes. Go to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Proofing' and click the 'AutoCorrect Options' button. Switch to the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, uncheck the box for 'Internet and network paths with hyperlinks', and click 'OK'. Excel will now treat email addresses as plain text.
