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How to Fix PowerPoint Not Showing Installed Fonts
Question details
The user wants to know why custom fonts they installed on their computer are not appearing or working in their PowerPoint presentations.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating or editing a presentation where specific custom typography is required, but the font is missing from the selection menu.
- Observed behavior
- Installed fonts do not show up in the PowerPoint font dropdown menu, typically when using PowerPoint for the Web or a restricted university subscription.
Ensure the custom font is correctly installed on your local operating system and restart your web browser or presentation software before troubleshooting further.
Use the PowerPoint Desktop Application
PowerPoint for the Web cannot access locally installed fonts. Switching to the desktop version resolves this immediately.
Microsoft's web servers do not allow users to upload or install custom fonts. Because PowerPoint for the Web operates on these servers, it can only display pre-installed cloud fonts. To use custom fonts downloaded to your computer, you must use the desktop application.
Log in to your Microsoft account and open the affected presentation in PowerPoint for the Web.
Look at the ribbon menu at the top of the screen and click the 'Editing' or 'Viewing' button, then select 'Open in Desktop App' from the dropdown.
Once the presentation opens in the local PowerPoint application, highlight your text, click the font dropdown, and select your installed custom font.
Embed Fonts in the Presentation
If you need to share the file or present on another device, embedding the font ensures it travels with the file and remains visible.
Use WPS Office to Create Presentations with Custom Fonts
If you are restricted by web-only Microsoft subscriptions or facing sync issues, switch to WPS Presentation. It is a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that seamlessly detects and uses your locally installed fonts, ensuring your slides look exactly as intended.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Open WPS Presentation: Launch WPS Office and click on 'Presentation' to create a new slide deck or open your existing PowerPoint file.
- 3. Apply Your Custom Fonts: Select your text, click the font dropdown in the Home tab, and directly apply any font installed on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fonts change when I open my PowerPoint on another computer?
If the custom font is not installed on the second computer and was not embedded in the presentation file, PowerPoint will automatically substitute it with a default system font like Calibri or Arial to display the text.
How do I install a new font for my presentations?
Download the font file (usually .ttf or .otf), right-click the downloaded file, and select 'Install' or 'Install for all users'. You must restart PowerPoint for the new font to appear in the dropdown menu.
Can I upload custom fonts to PowerPoint for the Web?
No, Microsoft does not allow users to upload or install custom fonts directly to their web servers. You are limited to the fonts provided natively in the web application.
Why does PowerPoint say my font cannot be embedded?
Some custom fonts have licensing restrictions set by their creators (TrueType or OpenType embedding privileges) that prevent them from being embedded. In this case, you must install the font locally on any device displaying the presentation.
