Default Font Setting not Affecting All Levels of Multilevel List

[mjcobb]

I'm trying to establish a word template for 3-part specification writing at my architecture office. It is my understanding I have finally set up this file to transmit a revision in the default font to all levels of the multilevel list in the attached Word document. But when I change the default Arial Narrow setting to "Arial Black" it does not affect two of the list levels. These levels appear to be associated with two text styles that I have pointed to in red in the attached jpeg. Any help finally taming these multilevel lists so I can become productive would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help.



-Mike

[Charles Kenyon]

Try modifying those two styles. Perhaps changing the based-on style.
Automatic Numbering in Word - my 5-page pdf

[mjcobb]

Originally Posted by Charles Kenyon

Try modifying those two styles. Perhaps changing the based-on style.
Automatic Numbering in Word - my 5-page pdf

I can certainly change the styles individually but I’d like to understand how to craft a document that can be globally altered with a revision to the default font. Any idea why changing the default font doesn’t revise these two styles?

[Italophile]

Setting the default font in the Manage Styles dialog will only affect the style that represents the default document settings. By default, this is the style called "Normal"
Screenshot 2025-03-18 075847.png

It is essential that at least one style is identical to the document defaults, and that style must be used when inserting tables so that Table Styles which include font and/or paragraph settings work correctly. For details see these articles originally published by Microsoft: Word Blog - BEHIND THE CURTAIN: STYLES’ ORDER OF OPERATIONS and Microsoft Word - BEHIND THE CURTAIN: STYLES, DOC DEFAULTS, STYLE SETS, AND THEMES

Styles in Word can cascade their settings. For details see https://shaunakelly.com/word/styles/...escascade.html

For that to work the styles in the document require a base style. Again, by default, that is the style called "Normal". So, changing the default font will affect both the Normal style and all styles that are based on it.

The two problem styles you highlighted are not based on any other style, and have their fonts set explicitly to Arial Narrow.
Screenshot 2025-03-18 075912.pngScreenshot 2025-03-18 075931.png

As a result, they cannot inherit their settings from the Normal style, or any other.

Another option for setting a default font is to use the method that has been the default since Office 2007 - use the theme fonts. These are shown in Manage Styles as "Body" and "Headings".
Screenshot 2025-03-18 084132.png

You define the Theme Fonts using the Fonts button on the Design Tab. Use the Customize Fonts an option (not shown below) at the bottom of the list to set your own font choices. Changing the Theme Fonts will automatically cascade to all styles that use either Body or Headings.
Screenshot 2025-03-18 084249.png

[mjcobb]

Thank you for all that information. You point out that I have explicitly set the font to Arial Narrow. I'm failing to understand how the settings for Arcat Article and Arcat Paragraph are different. As you can see from the attached image, both are driven by a "default" font setting. Why does Arcat Paragraph change when I change the default font and Arcat Article does not? This is my simple question. Any help with this specific issue is appreciated. I have already read/listened to a few things you have shared. Thank you again for that.

One more thing...

I did change the "style based on" setting to be normal for the Article style and it sill doesn't change it to the default. Very curious.

[Charles Kenyon]

If it is the bolding you are referring to, this is a toggle that can be switched on and off in layers. That is, if the text is formatted directly as bold and a style with bold is applied that does not remove that, bold (direct) + bold (style) = no bold.

[Charles Kenyon]

Originally Posted by mjcobb

I can certainly change the styles individually but I’d like to understand how to craft a document that can be globally altered with a revision to the default font. Any idea why changing the default font doesn’t revise these two styles?

This is likely style inheritance or cascading as mentioned by Italophile.

[Italophile]

Originally Posted by mjcobb

I did change the "style based on" setting to be normal for the Article style and it sill doesn't change it to the default. Very curious.

Changing the style it is based on is not enough. You also need to change the font to match the base style. The only style settings that cascade are those that are identical to the base style.

As for your first point - I can only comment on what I can see in the file you posted. As I have no knowledge of exactly what you did to create the styles in that document I cannot comment further.