Word randomly changes font

Question

I have seen related questions to this but no solutions.

In the last few days, MS word (MacOS High Sierra Word v. 15.37) has been randomly changing font. I have my default font set to Times New Roman 12pt but it changes to Helvetica 12pt randomly, sometimes mid-sentence, sometimes mid-word. Sometimes copying TNR 12pt into a new document and choosing "source" formatting results in a document with mixed (mid-sentence) fonts all through the document. When I select all text and try to change back to TNR, the text does not change (and the font box remains blank). If I try to clear formatting (not ideal when writing a reference list in APA format) and then go to write stuff in, it again changes to Helvetica randomly. I've tried multiple times to go in and set the default font back to TNR but it doesn't work.

Edit: Just tried to manually change the font of individual words to TNR. I can't do it, its locked to H. somehow. Hitting 'clear formatting' does nothing. 

The only thing I've done differently in the last few days has been upgrade to High Sierra. Around the same time, I also opened and modified a document someone else sent me which was written in Helvetica, and this was when I noticed Helvetica had somehow hijacked my system.

Please help. I am submitting these documents for publication and its frustrating in the extreme.

Answer 1

Hi Anonymous,

Thanks for your reply.

As you described, the issue occurs to Word 2016 for Mac only. From the crash log above, the version of Microsoft AutoUpdate you are using is 3.9.2. To get the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate version 3.11, please refer this article to download and install it: Release notes for Office 2016 for Mac. Then update to the latest version of Office 2016: 15.39.0 (Build 17101000).

Besides, please provide the screenshot when you are free. To insert a screenshot, please click the Insert Image icon.

Regards,

Yoga

Answer 2

Hi Anonymous,

Have you checked the article I provided above?

Regards,

Yga

Answer 3

Autoupdate isn't working. Crash dump pasted below.

Happens only in word, across multiple (all?) documents

Will provide screenshots soon

Microsoft Error Reporting log version: 2.0

Error Signature:

Exception: EXC_BAD_INSTRUCTION

ExceptionEnumString: 2

Exception Code: 0x00000001 (0x00007f859e856000)

Date/Time: 2017-11-01 23:54:33 +0000

Application Name: Microsoft AutoUpdate

Application Bundle ID: com.microsoft.autoupdate2

Application Signature: MSau

Application Bitness: x64

Application Version: 3.9.2.17073100

Crashed Module Name: CoreFoundation

Crashed Module Version: 6.9.0

Crashed Module Offset: 0x000000000010b0fb

Blame Module Name: Microsoft AutoUpdate

Blame Module Version: 3.9.2.170731

UnsymbolicatedChecksum: DC245E8ACBF3499ED2B63AB135808581

Blame Module Offset: 0x0000000000002f2e

StackHash: 75a3_main

Application LCID: 1033

Extra app info: Reg=en Loc=0x0409

Build Type: SHIP

Audience: (null)

AudienceGroup: (null)

AudienceChannel: (null)

Crashed thread: 0

uncaught ObjC exception, reason: *** -[NSURL initFileURLWithPath:]: nil string parameter

Answer 4

Hi Anonymous,

Have you checked my suggestions above?

Regards,

Yoga

Answer 5

Hi Anonymous,

Based on your description, fonts change randomly in Word 2016 for Mac. Since you are using Version 15.37 now, which is not the latest one, I would like to suggest you update your Office to the latest version and check if it works.

If it persists, to better understand your situation and help you, please provide the information below:

1. Does the issue occur to one specific document or all documents?
2. Does the issue occur to other Office applications, such as PowerPoint or OneNote?
3. Detailed steps and related screenshots about how you encounter the issue.

Regards,

Yoga