Office Settings & Configuration

How to Replace Aptos with Calibri or Times New Roman in Office

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to revert the newly introduced default Aptos font in Microsoft Office back to the classic Calibri or Times New Roman across Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating default theme fonts after a Microsoft Office update changed the standard font to Aptos.
Observed behavior: New documents and emails automatically default to the Aptos font family instead of the previously used Calibri or Times New Roman.

Before you start

Ensure you keep a backup copy of your customized theme or template, as future Office updates may automatically restore the default Aptos font settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify and Save Default Theme Fonts

This method changes the default font family for the current document and allows you to save it as a new standard theme for future use.

By customizing the built-in Office theme, you can ensure that all newly created documents use your preferred legacy fonts instead of Aptos.

Access the Design or Page Layout Tab

Open Word and navigate to the 'Design' tab on the ribbon. If you are using Excel, go to the 'Page Layout' tab.

Open the Fonts Menu

Click on 'Fonts' in the Document Formatting group to open the drop-down menu of available font themes.

Customize Fonts

Select 'Customize Fonts' at the bottom of the menu. In the dialog box, choose Calibri or Times New Roman for both the Heading font and Body font.

Save the Theme

Give your new custom font theme a name (e.g., 'Classic Fonts') and click 'Save'.

Set as Default

In Word, click the 'Set as Default' button on the Design tab to apply this customized theme to all future blank documents.

Theme Consistency: Once saved, this custom theme will be available across other Office applications like PowerPoint and Excel under your custom themes list.

Solution 2

Update the Normal.dotm Template in Word

Directly editing the Normal template ensures that every new blank document automatically uses your preferred font.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Classic, Stable Document Experience

Tired of unexpected updates changing your favorite fonts to Aptos? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It retains familiar classic fonts like Calibri and Times New Roman by default, ensuring your documents look exactly the way you want without the hassle of tweaking deep system templates.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the installer.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with perfect format compatibility and your preferred classic fonts.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Classic default fonts like Calibri and Times New Roman are readily availableFamiliar, easy-to-use interface with no forced theme overhaulsFree and lightweight, perfect for quick and stable document editing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Office font suddenly change to Aptos?

Microsoft recently rolled out an update for Microsoft 365 that changed the default theme font from Calibri to Aptos to give Office applications a more modern look.

Will changing the default font affect my existing documents?

No, changing the default theme font or the Normal.dotm template only applies to newly created documents. Your existing documents will retain their original formatting.

How do I change the default font in Outlook specifically?

In Outlook, go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures and Stationery. Under the Personal Stationery tab, you can change the default font for new mail messages, replies, and forwards back to Calibri or Times New Roman.

Why does Aptos keep coming back after I change it?

Major Office updates sometimes reset the default templates and themes to Microsoft's standard settings. It is recommended to save a backup of your customized 'Classic Fonts' theme or Normal.dotm file so you can easily restore it if needed.

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