Formatting Issues

How to Fix Word Heading and Footnote Numbers Changing to Courier Font

Guest Writer Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to stop automatic heading and footnote numbers from unexpectedly changing to Courier font.

How to Fix Word Heading and Footnote Numbers Changing to Courier Font

Product: Word Processing Software
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a document with automatic numbering applied to headings and footnotes, then saving and reopening it.
Observed behavior: Automatic heading and footnote numbers revert to Courier font upon saving and reopening, despite the text and heading styles being configured for Georgia and Franklin Gothic.

Before you start

Ensure you have a backup of your document before modifying multi-level list styles, and temporarily turn off 'Track Changes' to prevent your formatting corrections from being recorded as pending revisions.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Direct Formatting from Numbers

Clear any hidden or manual direct formatting applied to the heading or footnote numbers using a simple keyboard shortcut.

In many cases, the numbering carries invisible direct formatting that overrides the paragraph style. Stripping this manual formatting forces the number to inherit the correct font defined in your heading style.

Select the Affected Number

Click directly on the heading or footnote number that is appearing in the Courier font to highlight it.

Clear Character Formatting

Press the 'Ctrl + Spacebar' keyboard shortcut simultaneously.

Verify the Font Change

Check if the number has successfully updated to match your intended font (e.g., Franklin Gothic). Save the document to ensure the change persists.

Shortcut Tip: Ctrl + Spacebar is a powerful shortcut that resets character formatting back to the default underlying style without deleting any text.

Solution 2

Associate the Numbering Definition with Heading Styles

Ensure your multi-level list is strictly linked to your heading styles so they share the exact same font settings.

Solution 3

Resolve Track Changes Formatting Conflicts

Accept pending formatting changes if Track Changes is causing the numbering font to revert after saving.

Manage Heading Numbering and Styles Flawlessly in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for managing multi-level lists and heading styles, ensuring your numbering fonts remain consistent without unexpected changes. It provides robust formatting controls to keep your professional documents looking exactly how you designed them.

1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file to begin formatting.
2. Access Multilevel List Settings: Navigate to the Home tab, click the Multilevel List dropdown icon, and select 'Custom Multilevel List'.
3. Link Styles and Fonts: Easily link your numbering levels to standard Heading styles and explicitly set your font preferences in the centralized dialog box.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx).Advanced yet easy-to-use style and formatting management.Lightweight software with a familiar interface for seamless transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my footnote reference numbers change font automatically?

Footnote references often inherit a separate 'Footnote Reference' character style. If this base style is altered, or if direct formatting is applied while Track Changes is active, the numbers may revert to a default system font like Courier upon saving.

Does the Ctrl+Spacebar shortcut delete my text or headings?

No, Ctrl+Spacebar only removes manual character formatting (like bolding, italics, or specific font overrides) and reverts the selected text back to its base style definition. It will not delete your actual content.

Why does the numbering font revert only after saving and reopening?

This typically occurs when Track Changes is enabled and the font corrections were not officially 'Accepted' as revisions. It can also happen if the Multilevel List definition itself forces a different font, causing the document to refresh back to that default upon reopening.

Document & File Issues