How to Use Google Fonts in Word Online on a Mac
Question details
The user wants to install and use downloaded Google Fonts in Microsoft Word Online on a Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word Online
- Device & OS
- Mac / macOS
- Scenario
- Formatting a document in the web-based version of Microsoft Word and attempting to access custom fonts downloaded from Google Fonts.
- Observed behavior
- Word Online restricts font selection to its built-in list and does not provide an option to upload or utilize custom fonts installed locally on the Mac.
Ensure you have the desktop version of Microsoft Word installed on your Mac, as you will need it to apply local fonts and embed them into your document.
Apply and Embed Fonts Using Desktop Word for Mac
Since Word Online cannot load local fonts, you must install the Google Font on your Mac and use the desktop application to apply and embed it into your document.
Word for the web operates within a browser and only supports a pre-defined list of cloud fonts. It cannot read the custom fonts installed in your macOS Font Book.
To bypass this limitation, you can create the document using the desktop application, apply your custom font, and embed the font into the file so it travels with the document when uploaded online.
Download the desired font from Google Fonts, unzip the downloaded folder, and double-click the .ttf or .otf file to install it via Font Book on your Mac.
Launch the desktop version of Microsoft Word for Mac and open or create your document.
Highlight your text and select the newly installed Google Font from the font dropdown menu on the Home tab.
Go to 'Word' > 'Preferences' > 'Save' from the top menu bar, and check the box for 'Embed fonts in the file' to ensure the font displays correctly when the file is moved.
Save the document and upload it to your OneDrive. You can now view the document online, though editing it directly in Word Online may still restrict new text to default fonts.
Use WPS Office for Hassle-Free Custom Font Management
Skip the complicated embedding workarounds of web-based word processors. WPS Office provides a powerful, free desktop experience that seamlessly integrates with all the custom Google Fonts installed on your Mac.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free for Mac.
- 2. Install Custom Fonts: Install any desired Google Fonts to your Mac using the native Font Book app.
- 3. Apply Fonts Instantly: Open WPS Writer. Your new fonts will instantly appear in the font selection menu, ready to be used without any extra embedding steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload font files directly to OneDrive to use in Word Online?
No. OneDrive and Word Online do not have a built-in feature that allows users to upload .ttf or .otf files to expand the cloud font library.
Why do fonts installed on my Mac not show up in Word for the web?
Word for the web is a browser-based application isolated from your local operating system. It relies exclusively on Microsoft's cloud servers for its font directory and cannot access your local macOS Font Book.
If I install the font on a Windows PC instead, will it work in Word Online?
No. Installing a font locally on Windows 10 or Mac only makes it available for desktop applications on that specific machine. It will not unlock the font for web-based applications like Word Online.
