How to Change Default Font in Google Sheets
An efficient way to store, track and organize data on the cloud is by using Google Sheets. It’s a free and easy-to-use spreadsheet launched by Google. It helps its users carry out important tasks like creating a company’s performance report, tracking down data related to various products, recording meetings taken over a month, etc. They are not just for professional use, anybody can use them for personal needs too.
For example, a housewife can use Sheets for making a monthly budget list. A college student can use it to keep track of the syllabus he has learned. A schoolgirl can use it to keep track of the movies she has seen during the year. The possibilities are endless.
While Google Sheets is versatile, some basic techniques are a must to learn, especially if you’re just starting. In this article, we will discuss one of such techniques – how to change default font in Google Sheets.
Introduction to Default Fonts and How to Change Default Font in Google Sheets
Google Sheets comes with its default font – Arial. Whenever you create a new Google Sheet and start typing in the cells (the individual boxes where you enter the data), the default font gets automatically activated. It provides a standard look to your worksheet (an individual spreadsheet in the Google Sheets). But, in case you want to experiment and try out different fonts that suit your taste, Google has given its user the flexibility to do so.
Changing fonts in Google Sheets is easier. Before diving into the process, let’s first understand why is there a need to change the default font in Google Sheets in the first place.
Why Should You Change the Default Font in Google Sheets?
● To align with your purpose: As mentioned above, a spreadsheet can be used for multiple reasons. So, to match the look and feel for a specific purpose, changing the default font in Google Sheets is always a good idea.
Let’s say, you are using Sheets to track movie data, then you might opt for some creative fonts rather than the standard default font.
● To align with your brand: Brands follow a certain template that includes specific colors, design, and font formatting. If you want your Sheets to aptly reflect your brand style, you can change the default font in Google Sheets.
● To make a cell stand out: Suppose there is a column, row, group of cells or even an individual cell that needs to stand out among the other data. In that case, you should consider changing the fonts in that particular area. For example, if the first row denotes the header row, you can set the font of that row differently from the remaining rows. You can also highlight the entire row with color to serve your purpose.
Now that the reasons are in place, let’s discuss the steps on how to change default font in Google Sheets.
There are two methods through which you can do this – by themes, and by using a template.
How to change default font in Google Sheets by using Theme
Step One: Go to Google Sheets. A new untitled spreadsheet opens. Name the spreadsheet.
Step Two: Go to the Format menu from the Menu bar. A drop-down menu appears. Select Themes.
Step Three: On the right side, a pop up appears that displays the current theme, i.e. Standard. Besides that, there is a button named Customize. Click on that button.
Step Four: Scroll down to the Font option. There’s a drop-down menu that displays a variety of fonts you can choose from. Some examples of these are Arial (the default font), Comic Sans MS, Courier New, etc. With each font name, you could see its appearance as well. This makes it easier for you to navigate from the different font styles and choose a suitable one.
Step Five: Choose the font you want to apply to the entire spreadsheet. You can also choose between font colors, chart background, and hyperlink color, just in case.
Step Six: Once you’ve made the changes, click on the Done button at the top.
The default font is changed for the entire spreadsheet. You can view this from the font section at the toolbar that reads Default(Name of your selected font).
Note: You can create a new sheet in the same worksheet by clicking on the ‘+’ (Add Sheets) button at the bottom. The new sheet will have the updated font and not the previous default one. So, with this method, you have to change the default font once, and it will be reflected for as many sheets you create under the same spreadsheet.
How to change default font in Google Sheets by using Templates
Step One: Go to Google Sheets. A new untitled spreadsheet opens. Name the spreadsheet.
Step Two: Click on the grey-colored box at the start of the cells. It’s on the top left corner from where the cells start. This will select all the cells (rows and columns) of your spreadsheet. If you’re a keyboard shortcut lover, you can click CONTROL + A for the entire cell selection.
Step Three: Select the font of your choice from the Toolbar. You can also set the default font size if you want.
Step Four: Click on the File menu from the Menu bar. A drop-down menu appears. Select Make a copy.
Step Five: A dialog box appears. Type in the name you want to save this copy as. This will create a customized Google Sheets template with your selected font as the default font.
Step Six: After making the necessary changes, click on the Make a copy button.
You’ll notice that a new spreadsheet opens in a new tab with the name you’ve put for your new copy. This sheet is your customized template.
Note: Whenever you want to create a new Google Sheet with the font same as that of your customized template, follow these steps.
How to Use Your Customized Template in Google Sheets
Step One: Open Google Sheets. Navigate through your existing sheets list and select your customized template sheet.
Step Two: Go to the File menu from the menu bar. Select the Make a copy option from the drop-down menu.
Step Three: A dialog box appears. Change the copy of your template with a suitable name. A new tab opens with a copy of your customized template.
OR
Step One: Go to Google Sheets. A new untitled spreadsheet opens.
Step Two: Go to the File menu from the menu bar. Select the Open option from the drop-down menu.
Step Three: Search for your customized template sheet and select it. To speed up the search, simply type the name of your customized sheet in the search bar and press Enter.
Step Four: After selection, click on the Open button. Your customized template sheet appears.
Step Five: Go to the File menu from the menu bar. Select the Make a copy option from the drop-down menu.
Step Six: A dialog box appears. Change the copy of your template with a suitable name. A new tab opens with a copy of your customized template.
How to Change Font in a Cell with Existing Text in Google Sheets
Now suppose you’ve entered data in your Sheet, and you want to change the font type in a single cell. Or, in a group of cells. In that case, instead of deleting your text, changing the font, and then re-typing your text, we have an easy alternative for you.
Step One: Select the cell whose font type you wish to change. The selected cell is highlighted in blue color.
Step Two: Select the entire text present within that cell. The highlighted text appears in blue color.
Step Three: Go to the Font option in the toolbar. Select the font you wish to apply for the selected text in the cell. You can also change the font size, color, etc. if you want to.
The changes you make are automatically updated on your cell.
Note: You can use this method if you want to highlight a particular cell from the remaining cells in your spreadsheet. The font for the remaining cells remains intact.
How to Add More Fonts to the Font Menu in Google Sheets?
If you wish to add more fonts to the existing font list in Google Sheets, it’s possible. Here are the steps.
Step One: In your spreadsheet, hover over the Font option in the toolbar and select it.
Step Two: Select the More Fonts option. A dialog box appears
Step Three: Select the font you wish to add to your font list. You can make multiple selections. Make use of the filters given which are Scripts, Show and Sort. This will speed up your process and make your search efficient.
Step Four: Click on Ok.
You’re all set to type in your new font.
Conclusion
Changing fonts in Sheets is an important step to match your mood and style. Also, it enables choice and flexibility while working on Google Sheets. This helps in improving your user experience.
You can’t change the font for all your spreadsheets at once while working on Google Sheets. But, by using the above process, you can reset the default font of your sheet for an entire worksheet. Then you can replicate the same effect for all your upcoming spreadsheets.
We hope you are clear on the process of changing the default font in Google Sheets. Go ahead, and create the perfect spreadsheet you’re looking for.
