Formatting Issues

How to Fix Fonts Displaying Incorrectly in Word but Working in Excel

Emma Brown Oct 9, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where a specific custom font renders correctly in Microsoft Excel but fails to display properly in Microsoft Word.

How to Fix a Font That Works in Excel but Displays Incorrectly in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing or formatting text in a Word document using a custom installed font.
Observed behavior: The selected font (such as Benguiat Pro ITC Medium) appears fine in Excel, but displays incorrectly, looks entirely different, or is substituted with a default font in Word.

Before you start

Ensure that the custom font is properly installed on your system and close all open Microsoft Office applications before attempting to troubleshoot font rendering issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Select the Font in a New Document Before Typing

This is a quick workaround to bypass document-specific formatting corruption or cache issues affecting your current Word file.

Sometimes, existing Word documents retain hidden formatting metadata that conflicts with newly installed fonts. Starting fresh and setting the font before entering any text can force Word to render the font correctly.

Open a Blank Document

Launch Microsoft Word and select 'Blank document' to create a new, unformatted file.

Select the Custom Font

Navigate to the 'Home' tab. Click the Font dropdown menu and select your custom font (e.g., Benguiat Pro ITC Medium).

Type Your Text

Begin typing your text. The font should now render correctly. You can then copy and paste this text into your original document if needed.

Select the Font in a New Document Before Typing

Confirmed Solution: Many users have reported that applying the font before typing in a brand-new document immediately resolves this display glitch.

Solution 2

Check for Font Substitution and Enable Embedding

Prevent Word from silently replacing your custom font with a default system font when it encounters rendering conflicts.

Solution 3

Reinstall the Font for All Users

Ensure the font is installed at the system level so all applications, including Word, have full access permissions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Font Rendering Across Documents

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with custom fonts like Benguiat Pro ITC Medium, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible environment where fonts render consistently across Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation modules.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
3. Apply Your Font: Select your text and apply your custom font; it will display accurately just as it does in Excel.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formatsConsistent custom font rendering across all document typesFree, lightweight, and easy to install without straining system resourcesFamiliar user interface ensuring a seamless migration from Microsoft Office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do fonts sometimes get substituted in Microsoft Word?

Word substitutes fonts if the exact font isn't fully supported by your default printer driver, if the document was transferred from a device lacking the font, or if the font file is corrupted. It silently replaces the missing or conflicting font with the closest available match.

How can I ensure my fonts display correctly when sharing a document?

You can ensure exact font display by enabling font embedding. In Word, go to File > Options > Save, and check 'Embed fonts in the file'. This bundles the font data into the document so the recipient sees the text exactly as you formatted it.

Can a corrupted font cache cause display issues in Word?

Yes, a corrupted Windows font cache can cause specific applications like Word to render fonts incorrectly while other apps like Excel remain unaffected. Reinstalling the font 'for all users' or clearing the Windows font cache often resolves these inconsistencies.

Document & File Issues