As of the release you mention, Mac PPT can display embedded fonts, but can't embed them. So if the fonts have been embedded using Windows PPT, they'll appear on the Mac, but Mac PPT can't embed fonts. We need to use a specific, non-standard font for content as part of a Powerpoint presentation, which may then be used on many different types of operating systems etc. Is there any way to actually embed the font into the presentation, to overcome issues around font availability? We are running Powerpoint 2016 for Mac.
In Seth Godin’s article, he recommends that presenters buy or download a custom font to use in their PowerPoint presentations. He states, “This is like dressing better or having a nicer business card. It’s subtle, but it works.” This good idea could backfire as soon as you share your presentation with someone who doesn’t own the same font or if you deliver your presentation on another computer.
This article will focus on how you can embed a custom font in a PowerPoint file so that it stays intact for other people to enjoy on their computers. Step 1 – Find your own font Seth Godin recommends finding a nice font via one of Smashing Magazine’s sponsors. Rather than searching through thousands of fonts on hundreds of font sites (you can spend hours doing this), Smashing Magazine has a couple of useful articles that can simplify your font search:. In order to work within PowerPoint, you need to ensure the font you eventually use is a TrueType font. Step 2 – Install the font on your computer It is relatively simple to add a new font to your PC. If you have never installed a new font before, Microsoft has some support articles on the subject:. Step 3 – Embed the custom font in your PowerPoint file In order to embed the custom font in PowerPoint 2007, start by clicking on the big round Office button at the top-left and then clicking on the “PowerPoint Options” button at the bottom of the menu that appears.
Once you have the PowerPoint Options window open, select the Save tab and then check the “Embed fonts in the file” checkbox. You then have the option to include all of the characters (increases the file size) or only the characters used (reduces the file size). Yes, I wouldn’t recommend embedding all of the characters. I haven’t needed to use that option before. I’ve mainly used the “embed only the characters used” option. It didn’t seem to impact the file size too much. I did a quick test on the two different options.
My 3.5MB presentation increased to 4MB when I used the “embed only the characters used” option. However, when I embedded all characters, it ballooned to 10MB! Therefore, I would recommend the first option in order to keep your file size to a manageable level.
How to Embed Fonts in PowerPoint Presentations How to Embed Fonts in PowerPoint Presentations By Mike Parkinson, PPF.APMP, 24 Hour Company (@MikeParkinson) A challenge many organizations face is what font to use in their proposals. Often, I recommend using a clean font like Arial (for government proposals, use the font specified in the RFP). Arial works well especially with large text being projected on a screen in titles, graphics, and bulleted lists. Plus, Arial is standard on nearly every computer (PC or Mac), so you needn’t worry about font substitution, if your presentation may be viewed on different computers. However, if your goal is to spread “mind share” (a space in your future client’s brain), I recommend using your corporate font in all of your oral proposals.
The good news is that you can include certain fonts in your presentations. TrueType fonts can be embedded into a PowerPoint presentation for PowerPoint 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013 on a PC. (Unfortunately, they do not offer the option for Macs.) TrueType fonts are an outline font standard (on Macs and PCs) and offer the best quality for viewing text on computer screens and via print.
On a PC, you can embed TrueType fonts into your presentation so others may edit your copy even if they do not have the font—a helpful feature for anyone presenting from a different computer or working with a team to create the presentation. The following are instructions to embedding fonts in PowerPoint. In Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010 and 2013, follow these steps:. Click Save As. In the Save As dialog box, click Tools, and then click Save Options. Click Save on the left side of the dialog box that appears.
Click to select the Embed fonts in the file check box under Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation, and then click OK. In Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, follow these steps:. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Save As.
In the Save As dialog box, click Tools, and then click Save Options. Click to select the Embed fonts in the file check box under Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation, and then click OK. In Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 and in Microsoft PowerPoint 2002, follow these steps:. Start PowerPoint, and then open the presentation that you want. On the File menu, click Save As.
On the Tools menu, click Save Options in the Save As dialog box. Click to select the Embed TrueType fonts check box, and then click OK. If a font is not TrueType or if it has a license restriction, you will receive an error message explaining why it can’t be embedded. (For more information, see Microsoft Help and Support from where these instructions were taken.) Remember to test out fonts for legibility before you present. Make sure that everyone seated in the audience can easily read your text.
Use fonts with flourishes sparingly. Your main goal is to successfully communicate your information. Minimizing font issues will help your oral proposal succeed. About the Author Mike Parkinson, PPF.APMP, is an internationally recognized visual communications expert and APMP Fellow. He is a partner at 24 Hour Company specializing in bid-winning proposal graphics. His Billion Dollar Graphics web site , 'Billion Dollar Graphics' book, and Get My Graphic website share best practices and helpful tools with proposal professionals.
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