Aptos (Body) font suddenly appeared in Outlook 365

bertram12 61 Reputation points
2024-04-28T12:31:59.4466667+00:00

Yesterday, Microsoft changed my default font in Outlook 365 from Calibri to Aptos (Body). I initially thought it was my error, but Google does show many others having the same problem.

Since then, when typing an Email in Outlook 365, the letters are so so ugly, with too much white space between them, and even more so between words.

I attach an example which I just composed in Outlook and then took a screenshot. See: Font problem.jpg

The new font is horrible. Eye-strain beckons. Even worse, all my old Emails have been converted into this disastrous font as well.

Is there a definitive solution as to how to undo this? It also seems to have wormed its way into Word, Excel etc.

Outlook
Outlook
A family of Microsoft email and calendar products.
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  1. SokiGuo-MSFT 23,561 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-04-30T08:08:24.6533333+00:00

    Hi @bertram12

    Glad to hear this issue has been resolved! Thanks for the sharing.

    However, due to a recent update in forum policy, the question author now is not able to accept their own answers.

    So, I have written a brief summary of the solution this issue. Please feel free to accept it as the answer, which would benefit others who also has similar issues in forum.

    [Aptos (Body) font suddenly appeared in Outlook 365]

    Issue: Fonts in Outlook messages have big spaces.

    User's image

    Solution: It is caused by a button on the ribbon called "Immersive Reader". I don't recall clicking on it, or even recalling it was there. I don't even know what it means - and am too tired to look it up. I just clicked on it and the "kerning" issue (too much space between letters) has gone, and my Emails are left-justified (rather than centred) once more.

    In addition, please kindly note that Microsoft Q&A forum recommends asking one question per thread so we can better focus on one question. It would also make searching answers easier for other community members. For other problems, you can create a new thread to better investigate. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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  1. Andrew Geddes 741 Reputation points
    2024-04-28T20:41:21.43+00:00

    Ya it's the new font default. It's changeable at the user level in the office app setting, however it's the new norm. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/new-office-theme-e7bbfe02-d1fb-4c4d-b3b7-6a47f0cefd3f

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. SokiGuo-MSFT 23,561 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-04-29T05:41:49.6033333+00:00

    Hi @bertram12

    I agree with Andrew Geddes. The current default font is Aptos. You can try manually changing or setting the default font in Outlook. Go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts....

    User's image

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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  3. bertram12 61 Reputation points
    2024-04-29T14:05:22.6366667+00:00

    I have found the answer to the kerning problem at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/weird-kerning-and-wide-margins/ebb997cf-c54b-4cb3-9897-4bab862db32c.

    It is caused by a button on the ribbon called "Immersive Reader". I don't recall clicking on it, or even recalling it was there. I don't even know what it means - and am too tired to look it up. I just clicked on it and the "kerning" issue (too much space between letters) has gone, and my Emails are left-justified (rather than centred) once more.

    Weird! If one clicks on something which has such a strange effect, an "Are you sure?" message should surely be displayed. I've wasted hours and hours.

    I still have issues with the wrong font and point size, but I expect I will fix those in due course. Weird that MS made so many unsolicited changes to my Office 365. I have used Outlook since the 1990s and have never experienced something so awful.

    As I have now backed up my Email folders (to two separate backup devices), I will next investigate how "Outlook (new)" got onto my computer.

    Eventually, I will also get to Word, Excel etc. and fix the font changes there. As MS no longer likes Calibri, I will probably revert to Times New Roman.

    Many thanks to the two of you who responded. Your comments were most helpful. So, unless you have anything else to add, I will mark this thread as answered,

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