Fix a Font That Works in PowerPoint but Not Word or Excel on Mac
Question details
Find out why a font available in PowerPoint does not appear in Word or Excel on the same Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- A user wants to use the same installed font across PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
- Observed behavior
- The font works in PowerPoint but does not appear in Word or Excel.
Identify the font name and version, and check whether you have a licensed TrueType (TTF) or OpenType (OTF) installer. Save your open documents before quitting the Office apps.
Check the Font Installation and Try a TrueType Version
Use this approach first to address incompatible font versions or duplicate installations.
Office apps can behave differently with particular font files or versions. A TrueType version may work where a specific OpenType version does not, although changing formats is not guaranteed to fix the issue.
Open Font Book from Applications, search for the font, and select it to inspect its available styles and font information.
In Font Book, look for duplicate versions of the font and use the available duplicate-resolution option to keep the intended copy active.
If your font vendor or organization provides a licensed TTF version, open the TTF file and select Install. Avoid leaving conflicting versions active.
Quit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, restart your Mac, and reopen Word and Excel. Check the font menu in a new document and workbook.
Update Office and Test the Font in a New Mac User Account
Use a separate macOS account to help distinguish a user-profile issue from a font or Office compatibility issue.
Report a Persistent Font Issue to the Vendor and Microsoft
Use this option when the same font still fails in Word or Excel after installation and profile checks.
Try WPS Office as an Alternative for Documents and Spreadsheets
WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative with a familiar interface and compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, making it easier to move between office suites. It does not repair font issues in Microsoft Word or Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my font appear in PowerPoint but not Word or Excel?
The apps may handle a particular font file or version differently. Duplicate installations, font format compatibility, or a user-profile issue may also contribute. Check the font in Font Book and test it in a new document.
Should I replace an OTF font with a TTF version?
A licensed TTF version is worth testing if your vendor provides one, because some Office apps may have trouble with a particular OTF file. Install it through Font Book and avoid keeping conflicting versions active.
How can I check for duplicate fonts on my Mac?
Open Applications > Font Book, search for the font, and inspect any duplicate copies. Use Font Book's available duplicate-resolution option to keep the intended version active.
What should I do if TT Norms still does not appear in Word?
Contact TypeType support with the TT Norms version, font format, macOS version, and Office version. You can also use the feedback option in Word's Help menu to report the behavior to Microsoft.
