I learned more than a year ago that Microsoft would be changing the default font in Microsoft 365, and Microsoft announced the change in July 2023 (here), but the change made its way to me only yesterday: the new default font is … Aptos.
Here’s what I say in the fifth edition of A Manual of Style for Contract Drafting:
This author switched from Times New Roman to Calibri. That’s why the indented extracts of contract text throughout this manual are in Calibri, as are the samples and the redrafted version of the contract in the appendix. But in 2021, Microsoft announced that it plans to replace Calibri as the default font. Unless you’re subject to institutional requirements, be open to alternatives.
For now, I’m inclined to use Aptos for contracts. I care about being clear, concise, and relevant; which font I use has nothing to do with that. All I need from a font is that it be simple and readable. I’m not looking to impress anyone, and I’m not looking to establish a brand—at least not yet. And I’m not so fond of Calibri that I’m going to stick with it.
What do you think?
