Microsoft has announced that it is replacing its default font, Calibri, with a new sans-serif typeface called Aptos. This change comes after years of feedback and the commissioning of five new custom fonts for Office in 2021. Aptos, previously known as Bierstadt, was ultimately chosen as the new default font for Microsoft Office.
Aptos was created by Steve Matteson, a leading type designer who previously developed the Segoe font that is used as the default font in Windows. Matteson also played a role in the development of the original Windows TrueType core fonts. The name Aptos was inspired by Matteson’s favorite unincorporated town in Santa Cruz, California.
The design of Aptos draws inspiration from mid-20th-century Swiss typography. It features clearly cut off stroke endings, but with subtle softening to avoid the rigid grid-based aesthetic typical of this type of font. One of the most famous examples of this style is Helvetica, which Aptos has been contrasted with, as well as Microsoft’s Arial font.
While Aptos will replace Calibri as the default font, Calibri will still be present at the top of the new font menu, alongside its predecessors Times New Roman and Arial. Calibri has been the default Office font since 2007, replacing Times New Roman. It has become widely used and even played a role as key evidence in a corruption investigation in Pakistan in 2017.
Interestingly, the US State Department only recently directed its employees to use Calibri for memos earlier this year. Previously, they had been using Times New Roman since 2004. Given the department’s slow adoption of Calibri, it is likely that it will take them another decade or more to switch to Aptos.
While Aptos will be the default font, the other four fonts that were considered but not selected—Grandview, Seaford, Skeena, and Tenorite—will still be available in Office. Additionally, Microsoft will keep the Bierstadt font name in the drop-down picker for users who have become accustomed to it.
This font change is part of a broader wave of features that Microsoft is introducing to Microsoft 365. Along with Aptos, users can expect a newly designed font picker experience, as well as new themes, colors, and backgrounds. Microsoft aims to make the software more expressive and inclusive for its users.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s decision to replace Calibri with the new font Aptos is a significant change for its Office suite. It reflects the company’s commitment to design and improving user experiences. With its inspiration from mid-20th-century Swiss typography, Aptos brings a fresh and modern look to Microsoft Office while still providing familiarity to users through the continued presence of Calibri in the font menu.
