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Fix Noto Sans Devanagari Font Rendering Issues in Word and Excel
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where the Noto Sans Devanagari font displays correctly in basic text editors like Notepad but renders incorrectly in Microsoft Word 2021 and Excel.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2021, Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Typing or displaying text using the Noto Sans Devanagari font in Microsoft Office applications.
- Observed behavior
- Text using the Noto Sans Devanagari font renders incorrectly in Word 2021 and Excel, despite working perfectly in Notepad and earlier versions of Word.
Ensure that you have downloaded the latest version of the Noto Sans Devanagari font directly from Google Fonts and installed it for all users on your system.
Verify Font Installation and Update Office
Reinstalling the font and updating Office can resolve temporary rendering glitches.
Sometimes font caching issues or outdated Office builds can cause rendering discrepancies. Refreshing the installation ensures Office is reading the latest font files.
Open Windows Settings, go to Personalization, and select Fonts. Search for Noto Sans Devanagari, click on it, and select Uninstall.
Download the latest font package from Google Fonts. Right-click the extracted font file and choose 'Install for all users'.
Open Word or Excel, navigate to File > Account, click on Update Options, and select 'Update Now' to apply the latest Microsoft patches.
Report the Compatibility Issue to Microsoft and Google
Since this is a known rendering bug specific to newer Office versions, reporting it helps prioritize an official patch.
Use WPS Office for Flawless Font Rendering and Compatibility
If Microsoft Office continues to struggle with Noto Sans Devanagari font rendering, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that handles complex fonts smoothly.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer or Spreadsheet and open your existing Word or Excel files to view the font correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Noto Sans Devanagari work in Notepad but not in Word 2021?
Notepad uses standard Windows text rendering engines, while Word 2021 and Excel use Microsoft Office's proprietary font shaping and rendering engines, which currently have a known compatibility bug with this specific font.
Did this font work in older versions of Word?
Yes, many users report that Noto Sans Devanagari rendered correctly in older versions of Word, pointing to a regression or rendering engine update introduced in Word 2021 and Microsoft 365.
Can I use a different Devanagari font as a workaround?
Yes. While waiting for a patch from Microsoft or Google, you can switch to alternative standard Devanagari fonts such as Mangal, Aparajita, or Kokila, which typically render correctly in Microsoft Office.
