Office for Mac Issues

Fix Font Changes When Correcting Arabic Spelling in Word for Mac

Elise Williams Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

Accepting Arabic spelling corrections automatically changes the text font.

How to Fix Font Changes When Correcting Arabic Spelling in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Writing occasional right-to-left Arabic text in a document where English is the primary and preferred language, and using the built-in spell checker to correct Arabic words.
Observed behavior: When an Arabic spelling correction is accepted, the corrected word's font changes unexpectedly, disrupting the document's formatting. English spelling corrections do not exhibit this behavior.

Before you start

Ensure your macOS and Microsoft Word application are updated to the latest versions, and verify that the Arabic font you are using is natively supported by macOS.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Complex Scripts Font Settings in Word

Setting a dedicated Complex Scripts font prevents Word from reverting to a default fallback font when processing Arabic text corrections.

Microsoft Word handles Latin text (like English) and Complex Scripts (like Arabic) separately. When a spelling correction is applied, Word might apply the default Complex Script font if it hasn't been explicitly defined.

Open Font Dialog

Select the Arabic text in your document. Go to the top menu bar, click on 'Format', and select 'Font'.

Set Complex Scripts Font

In the Font dialog box, locate the 'Complex Scripts' section. From the font dropdown menu, select your preferred Arabic font so it matches your current document style.

Apply as Default

If you want this font to be used consistently for all Arabic text in the document, click the 'Default' button at the bottom left, select 'This document only', and click 'OK'.

Configure Complex Scripts Font Settings in Word

Language Priority: You can keep English as your primary language while typing. Word will automatically switch to the Complex Scripts settings when you change your macOS keyboard input to Arabic.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot macOS Font Conflicts

Use the macOS Font Book application to resolve corrupt or duplicate fonts that may cause rendering and substitution errors in Microsoft Office.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Multilingual Word Processing

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with complex script fonts and Arabic spelling corrections on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It natively handles rich text formatting across multiple languages without unexpected font changes.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free macOS version.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document to continue editing your English and Arabic text flawlessly.

Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Native support for complex scripts and multi-language typing, including right-to-left Arabic text.Free, lightweight, and optimized to use minimal system resources on macOS.Familiar, intuitive user interface that requires no learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word for Mac change my font when I type or correct Arabic?

Word for Mac separates font settings for Latin text and Complex Scripts. If a specific Complex Script font isn't explicitly set in your document's styles, Word will default to a fallback font during typing or when applying a spell check correction.

How do I keep English as the default language while typing Arabic?

You can keep English as your default UI and proofing language in Word Preferences. Simply switch your Mac's keyboard layout to Arabic when needed; Word will auto-detect the language change for that specific text segment.

Can I use third-party Arabic fonts in Word for Mac?

Yes, you can install third-party TrueType (.ttf) or OpenType (.otf) fonts via the macOS Font Book. Ensure they are fully validated to prevent display or spelling correction glitches in Word.

What should I do if resolving duplicate fonts doesn't fix the issue?

Try clearing your Mac's font cache by booting into Safe Mode, then restarting normally. If the problem persists, checking for Microsoft Office updates or reinstalling the specific Arabic font may resolve the underlying corruption.

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