How to Add Fonts to Google Docs

I need to make all my proposals informative and visually appealing. For instance, when I was making a proposal for a product launch campaign, I had to ensure that, along with providing data, I presented the data in a visually engaging manner for my clients.

This is where playing with different types of fonts comes in handy. Using a range of bold and modern fonts, I created a proposal with stunning headings that my audience found super easy to read.

With the strategic use of fonts in Google Docs, you can also convey a professional tone for your brand and make a lasting impact on your audience. In this tutorial, you will learn how to do that.

How to Add Fonts to Google Docs Using the Built-In Font Menu

One of the simplest ways to add custom fonts to Google Docs is by using the native features. To do this, you will have to use the built-in font menu. Here’s how to do it:

1. First, open the Google Docs document where you want to apply or change the font. You’re in control here-you can create a new document or open an existing one.
2. Then, head to the top menu bar and click the font option. It mainly displays a default font named ‘Arial.’ On clicking it, a font drop-down menu will appear.
   
3. On this drop-down font menu, click on the first option, “More fonts”.
   
4. Once you click that, a dialog box will pop up. In this box, you will find a range of options and can select your desired font from the available list.
   
5. You can be as specific as you want in your font search. In the search bar at the top of the dialog box, you can look for fonts of your choice and even filter fonts based on your preferences, such as popularity, script, date added, and more. This flexibility is designed to help you find exactly what you want.
   
6. When you are happy with your selection, click on the font you like. Once you do that, they will get added to the ‘My fonts’ column on the right side of the dialog box. To add new fonts to your fonts menu, click ‘OK’.
   
7. In the end, the new font will be added to your font drop-down menu. Highlight the text and select your newly added font from the drop-down menu.

Making Use of Google Docs Template to Add Fonts

If you do not have a particular font in mind but want to use a nice font that will elevate the look of your documents, you can try the Google Docs template. These pre-designed templates come with fonts that have already been selected and will surely improve your document’s look. This is how you can use them:

1. First, search for Google Docs on your browser and open it. After opening, go to the ‘Template gallery’ present on the top right of the page.
   
2. Click on it, and you will see a range of templates from which you can choose. These templates are divided into different categories: Work, Education, Sales, and so on. Browse through the available list and select one that fits your choice of fonts and design.
   
3. Clicking a template will open a new document with the fonts and the styles of your selected template.
4. If you want to change any of the fonts included in the pre-designed template, all you have to do is highlight the text, go to the font drop-down menu, and select a font of your choice to change it.
   

Moreover, if you like a particular font in a pre-designed template, you can copy the text from it and paste it directly into your document. The font style will remain the same on pasting.

This method is particularly helpful when you want to easily and quickly select a professionally designed font without spending hours searching for it manually.

Add Fonts to Google Docs Using the Extensis Font Add-On

If you have checked the Google Docs fonts library and have not found a particular font you plan to use in your project, you can use the Extensis add-on to add custom fonts. The best thing about this is that you do not have to leave your document to use this add-on. Here’s a simple way in which you can use it:

1. Start with opening the document in which you want to add new fonts.
2. Then, go to the ‘Extensions’ tab on the top menu bar and click on it. When you click on it, a drop-down menu will appear. Hover over the ‘Add-ons’ option on this menu, and another smaller drop-down menu will appear. Then select the ‘Get add-ons’ option.
   
3. On clicking it, a dialog box will appear. Go to the search bar at the top of the dialog box, type ‘Extensis Fonts’, and press Enter.
   
4. Now click on the ‘Extensis Fonts’ add-on and install it. Click on the Install button.
   
5. All you have to do now is follow the prompts to authorize and complete the add-on installation process.
6. Once you are done installing it, go to the ‘Extensions’ tab on the top menu bar and click on it. In the drop-down menu that appears, you will now find a new option: Extensis Fonts. Hover over and then click on start.
   
7. Click on it, and a sidebar with a range of fonts will be displayed on the right side of the document.
   
8. Now, you have to highlight the text you want a font change and choose one from the font options on the Extensis Fonts sidebar. Select the one you like, which will apply to the highlighted text.

How to Troubleshoot Common Issues When Adding Fonts in Google Docs

Like any other feature, using new fonts in Google Docs has its issues- nothing you cannot handle if you know the tricks. Let’s take a look!

1. Compatibility – You might experiment with font selection and use third-party apps to add fonts to your Google document. If you do that, remember to check if the font is compatible with the devices or platforms that your audience will be using.
2. Fonts Not Appearing – Sometimes, you apply a font but notice it doesn’t appear in your document. If you encounter a problem like this, try refreshing your document and re-adding the font.
3. Low Performance – I have observed that adding too many custom fonts to a document can significantly slow down its performance. To avoid this issue, use custom fonts sparsely and only when needed.

Conclusion

Even after following all the methods I discussed, you might still want a font unavailable in the built fonts library or the extensis fonts menu. In that case, you can use Google Slides to create a particular text with a custom font and download it as an image in PNG format.

Then go to the ‘Insert’ tab on the top menu bar in your Google Docs document and hover over the ‘Image’ option to upload the PNG file from your device.

Insert > Image > Upload from computer. You can easily add custom fonts of your choice and bypass the limitation.