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How to Fix the 'No More Fonts May Be Applied' Error in Excel
Question details
The user needs to resolve an Excel error stating that no more fonts may be applied, which prevents them from formatting or working with their spreadsheets properly.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting cells or opening workbooks in Excel, which unexpectedly triggers a font-related error limitation.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays a 'No More Fonts May Be Applied' error message, which occurs even in new workbooks and on devices with sufficient memory and storage.
Save your current work and close all unnecessary applications and Excel workbooks to ensure the issue is isolated to the specific file or system font cache.
Clear the Windows Font Cache
Corrupted font cache data can trigger this error even in brand new workbooks. Clearing it forces the system to rebuild the cache from scratch.
Windows stores font data in a cache to load them quickly. When this cache becomes corrupted, Excel may misread the number of available fonts, causing the application to crash or display the font limit error. Rebuilding this cache is the most effective fix for persistent font errors.
Press the 'Win + R' keys to open the Run dialog box. Type 'services.msc' and press Enter.
Scroll down the list to find 'Windows Font Cache Service'. Right-click on it and select 'Stop'.
Open File Explorer and navigate to 'C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache' (you may need administrative privileges and to enable hidden items). Delete all the files inside this folder.
Restart your computer to allow Windows to automatically recreate a fresh, uncorrupted font cache.
Simplify Workbook Formatting
Reducing the number of unique fonts and cell formats can immediately resolve the limit error in heavily formatted workbooks.
Uninstall Unnecessary Custom Fonts
Removing rarely used third-party fonts can prevent Excel's font registry from becoming overwhelmed.
Avoid Excel Font Limits with WPS Office
If you frequently encounter formatting errors, font limits, or sluggish performance in Microsoft Excel, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative designed to handle complex spreadsheets smoothly without arbitrary formatting limits.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to set up WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx files to edit them without formatting restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get this font error when I have plenty of RAM and storage?
The 'No More Fonts May Be Applied' error is tied to Excel's internal software limitations regarding unique font records and formatting combinations per workbook, as well as potential cache corruption. It is not caused by your computer's physical memory (RAM) or hard drive space.
How many cell formats can Excel actually handle?
In modern versions of Excel (2007 and later), the maximum limit is 64,000 unique cell formats per workbook. A unique format is any distinct combination of font style, size, color, borders, and shading. If your workbook contains highly randomized formatting, it can hit this limit quickly.
Will upgrading to Excel 365 permanently fix this error?
Not necessarily. Many users report experiencing this exact error even in Microsoft 365. If the issue stems from a corrupted Windows font cache or a workbook that exceeds the 64,000 format limit, the error will persist regardless of the Excel version.
How can I prevent this Excel font error in the future?
To avoid this error, rely on Excel's standardized 'Cell Styles' instead of manually changing fonts and colors cell by cell. Additionally, avoid copying and pasting data with complex formatting from web pages directly into your workbook; use 'Paste as Plain Text' instead.
