The battle of fonts: Out with Calibri, in with Aptos – social media erupts

In a jaw-dropping move that has left users furrowing their brows and clenching their keyboards, Microsoft has decided to bid adieu to its default font of 17 years, Calibri. The tech giant’s choice to replace the beloved typeface has triggered a font feud, with social media ablaze in debates over the new look.

The change, which began its subtle rollout in July 2023, was announced by Si Daniels, Microsoft’s principal program manager, through a design blog post. The blog hinted at a ‘new default font’ sweeping across Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel. Little did users know that the default font landscape would be forever altered.

So, what’s the scoop on the successor to the Calibri throne? Drumroll, please – enter Aptos! Formerly known as Bierstadt, this contemporary sans serif typeface, designed by the maestro Steve Matteson, draws inspiration from mid-20th-century Swiss typography.

As the news broke, Breakwater IT took to TikTok to showcase the moment they realized the font facelift, adding a dash of humour with a document reading: “Really important word document. Filled with really important work information. (If you need business IT support services use Breakwater).” The caption wittily remarked, “Us: Just trying to make it through the week. Microsoft on a random Tuesday in January.”

Social media, as expected, erupted with opinions. While some users embraced the change, declaring Aptos as a visual delight, die-hard Calibri enthusiasts were left mourning the loss of their trusted font. TikTokers confessed to frantically changing back to Calibri, fearing they’d lost their minds, while others found solace in the nostalgic warmth of ‘Times New Roman’ or the modern flair of ‘Baskerville.’

Aptos, touted as ‘a versatile typeface that expresses simplicity and rationality in a highly readable form,’ has divided the Microsoft user community. One TikToker boldly stated, “I will be Calibri Light till I die,” while another praised Aptos, noting that it ‘looks a lot better’ than its predecessor.

As the font war rages on, with users sharing comparison videos and witty captions like “POV: Changing the font from Aptos to Calibri before sending emails, because it doesn’t feel right,” the burning question remains: Which side are you on?