How to Use Custom Fonts in Microsoft Word for the Web
Question details
The user wants to know how to use custom fonts in Word for the web and resolve issues where the fonts fail to render correctly when printing or exporting the document to a PDF.
- Product
- Word for the web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a document online using a custom font and trying to export it as a PDF without losing the font styling.
- Observed behavior
- Custom fonts installed locally may show up in the web browser but often revert to default fonts when exporting or printing the document to a PDF.
Ensure that your custom font files are downloaded and properly installed on your local computer before attempting to apply them in the web browser.
Install the Font Locally and Match the Exact Name
To use a custom font in the web version of Word, you must install it on your local device and manually type its exact name into the font box.
Word for the web does not natively list local custom fonts in its dropdown menu. However, if the font is installed on your computer, the browser can still render it if requested correctly.
Locate the downloaded custom font file on your computer, right-click it, and select 'Install' or 'Install for all users'.
Log into Microsoft Office online and open your document in Word for the web.
Select the text you want to format, click inside the Font name box on the Home tab, type the exact name of your custom font, and press Enter.
Configure Custom Fonts on Office Online Server
If your organization hosts its own Office Online Server, administrators can install custom fonts directly on the server for all users.
Use WPS Office for Perfect Custom Font Rendering and PDF Exports
Web-based word processors often struggle with custom fonts and PDF exports due to cloud server limitations. WPS Office provides a fully featured desktop experience that seamlessly detects and supports all your local custom fonts. It ensures your text looks perfect on-screen and exports flawlessly to PDF without unwanted font substitutions, all while maintaining strict format compatibility with Microsoft Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my custom font change when I save as a PDF in Word for the web?
When you save or print to PDF in Word for the web, the document is processed on Microsoft's cloud servers. Since the server does not have your personal custom font installed, it automatically substitutes it with a similar standard font. To prevent this, edit and export the file using a desktop application like WPS Office.
Are OpenType (.otf) or TrueType (.ttf) fonts better for Office Online?
For enterprise Office Online Server installations, Microsoft documentation specifically recommends using OpenType (.otf) font files to ensure the best compatibility and rendering across web applications.
Can I upload my custom font file directly to Word for the web?
No, Word for the web does not currently have a built-in feature to upload font files directly to your cloud account. You must either install the font locally and type its exact name or rely on server-side installations if using a corporate Office Online Server.
