by David Hakala

When I first opened Microsoft Word 2007 and started typing, I nearly went blind. The default font is Calibri 11-point, which is too small for my aged, trifocal-wearing eyes. Then I started getting Word 2007 files from people and they, too were in Calibri 11-point. It seems Word 2007 is taking over the world, so it’s time for everyone to change their default font to something I can read.

The default font style in any version of Word is stored in a special document called a template – specifically, the Normal (style) template. The Normal template is loaded as the basis for any new document you start in Word. Its style elements are saved with the document. Any changes you make to font styles or other elements override the Normal template but do not change it, so the same font style is applied the next time you create a new document. You have to open the Normal template itself and modify it.
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