How to Restore Excel Default Settings After Font Changes
Question details
The user needs to revert Excel's default font settings because row and column headings are unexpectedly displaying in the Shruti font in older workbooks.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening older workbooks in Excel and noticing that the default heading fonts have changed.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays the Shruti font instead of the standard default font for row and column headings.
Ensure you have saved all open workbooks and completely closed Microsoft Excel before initiating any Office repair processes.
Repair Microsoft Office via Windows Settings
Running a Quick Repair or Online Repair can fix corrupted Excel configuration files that cause unusual font behaviors in older workbooks.
Microsoft Office includes a built-in repair tool that can fix issues with application files and registry keys without affecting your personal documents. This is the most effective way to resolve persistent font display glitches like the Shruti font issue.
Click the Start menu and select 'Settings' (the gear icon), then navigate to the 'Apps' or 'Apps & features' section.
Scroll down the list of installed applications until you find 'Microsoft Office' or 'Microsoft 365'.
Click on the Microsoft Office application entry and select the 'Modify' button.
Select 'Quick Repair' from the prompt window and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen instructions. If the font issue persists after restarting your computer, repeat these steps and select 'Online Repair' instead.
Check and Modify the Default Workbook Style
Sometimes the 'Normal' style gets modified in older workbooks, affecting the fonts used for row and column headings.
Try WPS Office for a Stable and Seamless Spreadsheet Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to experience configuration errors, corrupted templates, or unexpected font changes like the Shruti bug, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your older workbooks open exactly as intended without unexpected formatting glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Excel row and column headings suddenly change to Shruti font?
This usually happens due to corrupted Office configuration files, a modified default 'Normal' template in older legacy files, or software conflicts with Windows regional language settings.
Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my Excel files or personal macros?
No, running a Quick Repair or Online Repair only restores the application system files, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), and registry entries. Your personal workbooks, macros, and customized data remain completely safe.
How do I change the default font for all new workbooks in Excel?
Go to File > Options > General. Under the 'When creating new workbooks' section, select your desired font from the 'Use this as the default font' dropdown menu, set your preferred font size, click OK, and then restart Excel.
