Displaying Actual Font Faces

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 25, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


When you are applying formatting to various parts of your document, you may find it useful to actually see a sample of a font before you apply it. For instance, the drop-down font list on the Formatting toolbar can be very handy if the fonts names are displayed using the representative typeface, rather than just a simple listing of typeface names.

Beginning with Word 2000 you can control whether Word uses typefaces to show font names. You do this by following these steps:

  1. Choose Customize from the Tools menu. Word displays the Customize dialog box.
  2. Make sure the Options tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)
  3. Figure 1. The Options tab of the Customize dialog box.

  4. Ensure the List Font Names in Their Font check box is checked.
  5. Click on OK.

If you check out the font drop-down list, you will notice that it now uses the various typefaces to display font names.

Remember that this feature is only available beginning with Word 2000. Regardless of the version of Word you are using, you can always use the Font dialog box to display what a font will look like. Simply select the text you want to format and then press Ctrl+D. The font dialog box is displayed, with the selected text appearing as the sample at the bottom of the dialog box. As you select different fonts in the dialog box you can easily see the effect it has on the selected text.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1550) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Inserting Endnotes

Endnotes appear at either the end of a section or the end of an entire document. It is just as easy to insert an endnote ...

Discover More

Word Won't Maximize

Sometimes, for whatever reason, your computer might not display Word or other programs properly. There are a few things ...

Discover More

Excel Custom Formats

The fundamental building block to displaying your data is the feature known as custom formats. Here is the definitive ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (menu)

Unchanging Toolbars

Create a macro to return Toolbars to the default settings.

Discover More

Helpful Pop-up Screen Tips

Screen tips can be helpful to people reading your document on-screen. Using the technique described here, you can add ...

Discover More

Understanding View Options

Understanding the options available on the View tab of the Options dialog box based on the view you are using.

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 5 - 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.