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How to Fix Microsoft Word Reverting Font to Calibri on Mac
Question details
Users are experiencing an issue where Microsoft Word automatically changes selected fonts back to Calibri on Mac devices.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Applying custom fonts or formatting text in a document after a recent Office for Mac update.
- Observed behavior
- Any custom font applied to the text unexpectedly reverts to the default Calibri font without user prompt.
Save all your active documents and close Microsoft Word completely before attempting to install or roll back any Office updates to prevent data loss.
Roll Back to a Previous Version of Office for Mac
If the issue started after a recent update, reverting to an earlier, stable version like 16.78 can resolve the font bug.
Recent Office updates can sometimes introduce unexpected formatting bugs. Uninstalling the problematic version and manually installing a known stable release from the official Microsoft Update History page is a proven workaround.
Open Finder, navigate to the Applications folder, locate Microsoft Word, and drag it to the Trash.
Visit the official Office for Mac update history page (learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac).
Download the installer for version 16.78 (or another stable older release) and run the installation package on your Mac.
Open Word, go to Help > Check for Updates from the top menu, and uncheck 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date' until Microsoft releases a permanent fix.
Install the Latest Office Updates
Microsoft frequently releases patches for known bugs. Checking for a newer update may fix the font reversion issue instantly.
Try WPS Office to Avoid Word Formatting Bugs on Mac
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with font formatting on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with a familiar user interface.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installer package.
- 2. Install the software: Open the downloaded 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 with stable font rendering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word automatically change my font to Calibri?
Calibri is the default body font for Microsoft Word. Software bugs or conflicts introduced in certain Office for Mac updates can cause your document's formatting to reset to this default state unexpectedly.
Will I lose my documents if I uninstall Word on Mac to roll back?
No, your Word documents (.docx) are saved separately on your local drive or cloud storage. Uninstalling the Microsoft Word application will not delete your personal files.
How do I stop Office for Mac from automatically updating?
Open any Office app like Word, click 'Help' in the top menu bar, select 'Check for Updates', and turn off the toggle or uncheck the box for automatic updates. This ensures your stable rolled-back version isn't overwritten.
Can I change the default font in Word so it doesn't default to Calibri?
Yes. Open a new document, press Command+D to open the Font dialog box, choose your preferred font, click 'Default...', and select 'All documents based on the Normal template'. This can mitigate the issue for future documents.
