How to Fix Word Showing Lato Instead of Times New Roman
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue in Microsoft Word where documents formatted in Times New Roman are displaying in the Lato font instead.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening an existing DOCX file or creating a new document in Microsoft Word.
- Observed behavior
- The text unexpectedly renders in the Lato font even though the document styling or user expectation dictates it should be Times New Roman.
Before proceeding, check if this font replacement happens only in one specific document or across all new Microsoft Word files. Ensure you have administrator access to your computer in case you need to reinstall system fonts.
Check and Adjust Word's Font Substitution Settings
Verify if Microsoft Word is automatically substituting Times New Roman with Lato due to a missing font or an incorrect internal mapping.
Font substitution usually occurs when a document was created using a font that is not currently installed on the computer opening the file. Adjusting this setting ensures the original layout is respected.
Open the affected document in Microsoft Word. Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Options' and navigate to the 'Advanced' tab.
Scroll down to the 'Show document content' section and click the 'Font Substitution...' button.
In the dialog box, look for Times New Roman in the 'Missing document font' list. If it is mapped to Lato, change the substituted font back to Times New Roman or '(Default)', then click 'OK'.
Verify and Reinstall Times New Roman on Your System
Resolve corrupted or missing font files on your device by reinstalling the Times New Roman system font.
Embed Fonts in the Document
Prevent future font substitution across different computers by embedding the fonts directly into your DOCX file.
Experience Flawless Document Formatting with WPS Office
Tired of Microsoft Word's unpredictable font substitutions and formatting glitches? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative that preserves your document's original layout and fonts seamlessly.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device in seconds.
- 2. Open Your Word Document: Simply double-click your DOCX file or open it directly within WPS Writer. Your formatting and fonts will be perfectly preserved without unexpected substitutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word substitute fonts without asking?
Word automatically substitutes fonts when a document uses a font that is not installed on your current computer. It attempts to maintain the layout by choosing the closest available visual match defined by its system settings, which can sometimes result in unexpected choices like Lato.
Does embedding fonts increase the Word document file size?
Yes, embedding fonts will increase the overall file size of your DOCX document. The increase depends on the size of the font files and how many different fonts are embedded, but it guarantees that the formatting remains intact when shared.
How can I reset the Normal template in Word to fix default fonts?
You can reset the default font by right-clicking the 'Normal' style in the Home tab, selecting Modify, changing the font back to Times New Roman, and selecting the option 'New documents based on this template' before clicking OK.
