The new default Office font is now available on Microsoft 365, with many notable additions

Last week, Microsoft made headlines when it revealed a new default font option for Office applications called Aptos, which is intended to replace the Calibri font that was released more than 13 years ago with Office 2007. However, before it can count on updating the new font for all Office users worldwide, Microsoft will have to conduct the necessary testing to provide reasonable customizations and feedback. This is being done in the Microsoft 365 Insiders insider channel.

Specifically, the new Aptos font is now available for testing by Microsoft 365 Insiders on Windows, macOS, Android, and coming soon to iOS. Before introducing Aptos, Microsoft asked customers to vote for a new font to replace the old Calibri. The five new variants include Bierstadt, Grandview, Seaford, Skeena and Tenorite.

The Office user community picked up Bierstadt, Microsoft later renamed the font Aptos, and it's now ready for testing in the Microsoft 365 Insider program.

Aptos is a Sans-serif* font developed by Microsoft based on inspiration from Swiss typefaces of the mid-20th century. The font was created by top designer Steve Matteson and released in 2021. The company decided to apply this font on a large scale after many trials and received good feedback.

Aptos comes in a variety of customization options: Light, Even, Semi-Bold, Bold, Extra-Bold, and Black, with all six variants supporting italics. While Office applications now use Aptos by default, customers can still access Calibri in the font selection menu as usual.

Microsoft's latest internal update not only introduces a new font, but also comes with a host of other aesthetic changes. Typically new default styles with improved readability, navigation, and a "more professional" look.

There's also a new set of default colors for backgrounds, accents, and hyperlinks. Microsoft says it has studied popular color palettes and design trends to create a set of colors that work consistently and look good in all Office applications, and help users create more accessible content.

Microsoft has also redesigned the default border to increase consistency, as well as provide better contrast.

Finally, Microsoft emphasizes that users have full control over the image, and that they can revert to the previous Office theme (2013-2022), set Calibri or another font as the default, or use the Word 2013 scheme to format documents.

The update is currently available to Microsoft 365 Insiders on Windows (version 2308, build 16701.20000), macOS (version 16.76, build 23070400, and Android (version 16.0.16701.20000).

Isabella Humphrey

Update 24 July 2023