Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove Cloud Fonts from Microsoft Office Font Lists

Adam Davis Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to eliminate cloud fonts from the Microsoft Office font drop-down lists after standard settings fail to remove them.

How to Remove Cloud Fonts from Microsoft Office Font Lists

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to declutter the font selection menu by removing forced cloud font options in Microsoft Office applications.
Observed behavior: Cloud fonts continue to appear in the font drop-down menu despite standard removal attempts, requiring manual intervention in the application's font cache.

Before you start

Ensure that all Microsoft Office applications are completely closed and create a backup of your local FontCache folder before making any manual changes to the files.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Local Font Cache and Create Placeholder Files

Manually delete the existing font cache and create empty placeholder files to block the system from downloading and displaying cloud font previews.

This method forces Microsoft Office to stop populating the font list with cloud fonts by occupying the specific files it uses to cache those fonts.

Close Office Applications

Make sure all Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, are fully closed.

Navigate to the FontCache Folder

Open File Explorer and enter the following path into the address bar: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\FontCache. Be sure to replace [Username] with your actual Windows account name.

Delete Cache Contents

Select all the files inside the FontCache folder and delete them. Make sure you keep the actual FontCache folder intact.

Create Empty Placeholder Files

Create two new empty files on your desktop. Name the first one 'ListAll.Json' and the second one 'flat_officeFontsPreview.ttf'. Ensure your system is set to show file extensions so the formats are correctly applied.

Place Files in Subfolders

Move the 'ListAll.Json' file into the 'Catalog' subfolder. Then, move the 'flat_officeFontsPreview.ttf' file into the 'PreviewFont' subfolder.

Clear Local Font Cache and Create Placeholder Files

Restoring Cloud Fonts: If you decide you want to use cloud fonts again in the future, simply delete the contents of the FontCache folder and open any Microsoft Office application while connected to the internet.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Enjoy a Clutter-Free Font Experience with WPS Office

If managing complicated Microsoft Office cache settings is taking up too much of your time, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a clean, straightforward interface without forcing unwanted cloud fonts into your drop-down menus.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your Windows PC.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick setup instructions to configure WPS Office on your device.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with a cleaner typography interface.

Clean and intuitive font management without forced cloud clutter.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight application size with fast startup times.Free and seamless alternative for your daily productivity needs.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do cloud fonts keep returning in Microsoft Office?

Microsoft Office is designed to automatically download and display cloud fonts to provide a wider variety of typography. Unless blocked using placeholder cache files, the application will refresh the font list every time it connects to the internet.

Is it safe to delete files inside the FontCache folder?

Yes, deleting the files within the FontCache folder is safe. It simply forces Microsoft Office to rebuild its local font index the next time you open the application. However, backing up the folder first is always a good precautionary measure.

How do I ensure my placeholder files have the correct extensions?

In Windows File Explorer, go to the 'View' tab and check the box for 'File name extensions'. This allows you to change the actual file type to .Json and .ttf rather than just changing the file's display name.

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