Formatting Issues

Fix Word Font Size Not Changing After Selecting Text

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to change the font size of selected text in Microsoft Word, despite adjusting the font size controls.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to format text by changing its font size within a document.
Observed behavior: The font size control is adjusted, but the selected text remains the original size and does not reflect the change.

Before you start

Before modifying deep settings or templates, open a new blank document and attempt to change the font size there to determine if the issue is isolated to your current file or affects all Word documents.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Document-Specific Formatting

Verify if the issue is isolated to a specific document and remove stubborn underlying formatting that prevents size changes.

Sometimes, hidden styles or locked formatting within a specific document can override manual font size adjustments. Stripping this underlying formatting is often the quickest fix.

Test in a new document

Open a new blank document, type sample text, select it, and change the font size to verify if the core application is working properly.

Select problematic text

Go back to your original problematic document and highlight the exact text that refuses to change size.

Clear formatting

Press 'Ctrl + Spacebar' on your keyboard, or click the 'Clear All Formatting' button (the 'A' with a pink eraser) on the Home tab to strip locked styles.

Reapply font size

With the text still selected, use the font size dropdown to apply your desired text size.

Solution 2

Disable Conflicting COM Add-ins

Third-party add-ins can interfere with Word's text formatting capabilities and cause interface glitches.

Solution 3

Recreate Normal.dotm and Repair Office

Resetting Word's default template and repairing the installation can fix persistent configuration errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my text font size revert automatically when I start typing in Word?

This often happens if the paragraph style is strictly defined to a specific size. You can modify the default 'Normal' style by right-clicking it in the Styles gallery and updating the font size.

Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my personal files?

No, running a Quick Repair or Online Repair from the Windows Control Panel only fixes the application files and registry keys. Your personal documents and data will remain completely untouched.

Can I fix the font size issue on a Mac?

Yes. On a Mac, you can try starting Word in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key while launching the app. If the issue resolves in Safe Mode, you may need to disable conflicting Mac add-ins or rename the Normal.dotm file located in your Library/Group Containers folder to reset the defaults.

Document & File Issues