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How to add a font to Microsoft Word and embed it

Word has no font store of its own: it uses the fonts installed in your operating system. So install the font first, then pick it in Word, and embed it if the file will be opened on other computers.

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Steps

  1. First install the font in your operating system (see the Windows or macOS installation guide).
  2. Close Word completely and open it again.
  3. Select the text, click the font box on the Home tab and find the font by typing its name.
  4. If the document will be opened on a computer without the font, embed the font. On Windows choose File, Options, Save and tick "Embed fonts in the file". On a Mac choose Word, Settings (Preferences), Save and tick the same option.
  5. Embedding works only for TrueType (.ttf) fonts whose license permits it.The option "Embed only the characters used in the document" makes the file smaller, but other people then cannot edit the text with that font.
  6. Alternatively, save the document as a PDF, which keeps the look of the font.

Tips

  • Fonts cannot be installed this way in Word for the web or in the Word mobile apps.
  • A license that allows free use does not by itself allow embedding: check the license text.
  • If the font does not appear in Word after installing, restart the computer.

Questions

Why does the font not appear in Word?

Word takes its fonts from the system, so the font must be installed first and Word restarted. If that is not enough, restart the computer.

Can I embed any font?

No, only TrueType (.ttf) fonts whose license permits embedding. Read the license text to find out.

What if the recipient does not have the font?

Embed the font in the document, or save the document as a PDF, which keeps the look of the font.

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