Daily Archives: March 3, 2025

Google Fonts is a great resource for finding and using custom fonts for design projects; print, app, web, and PowerPoint.

Google Fonts is one of the most extensive libraries of royalty-free and open source fonts. Read the details, but I interpret the FAQ that these fonts can be used anywhere!

A unique feature of Google Fonts is that they can be used dynamically. For example, when creating a website that uses Google Fonts, users will be able to view the Google Font content without having to install the fonts on their device. However, PowerPoint does not have the ability to dynamically load Google Fonts. That said, because Google Fonts are available as a downloadable file, they can be used for PowerPoint presentation the same way as any other custom fonts (see our “How to Install Custom Fonts” post for more details).

NOTE: this process is for installing Google Fonts on Windows or Mac computers. Microsoft Teams and web-based presentations will not be able to use custom fonts unless they are embedded (and even then, there are lots of variables on if the custom fonts will display).

• Head over to the Google Fonts website at https://fonts.google.com/ to browse the library, by searching for a specific font family or using their various filters.

• After choosing a font, simply click the “get font” button in the upper right corner. and download the .zip file.
  NOTE: Google fonts are available in a variety of file formats; OTF, TTF and the newer variable font format, WOFF. Currently, it’s best to install and use the OTF format for maximum compatibility.

• Uncompress the .zip folder. Install the .OTF file(s) by right clicking the file and selecting “Install”. Or double-click the font to open the preview, and use the install button here.

TIP: Because Microsoft PowerPoint does a poor job of informing users of custom fonts needed for a presentation, be sure to include custom font info in the slide deck (as a hidden slide, or in the Presenter Notes on slide 1).