Whenever you create a new spreadsheet in Google Sheets, it automatically defaults to the “Arial” font at size 10. If your company uses a specific brand font, or if you simply prefer a more modern typeface like Roboto or Montserrat, manually changing the font every time you create a new document quickly becomes tedious.
Unlike Google Docs or Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets does not currently offer a single “Set as Default” button to change the font for all future spreadsheets. However, you can achieve the exact same result using two different workarounds.
Method 1: Change the Font for the Entire Current Spreadsheet
If you want to instantly change the font for every cell, row, and column in your current document (including any new tabs you add later), use the Theme setting.
- Open your Google Sheet.
- Click on Format in the top menu bar.
- Select Theme from the drop-down menu.
- A sidebar will appear on the right. Click the Customise button at the top of the sidebar.
- Under the “Font” section, click the drop-down menu and choose your preferred typeface.
- Click Done.
This instantly applies your chosen font to the entire document, overriding the default Arial setting globally within that specific file.
Method 2: Create a Custom Font Template for Future Sheets
To avoid having to change the theme every time you create a new file, you can create a blank template document.
- Create a brand new Google Sheet.
- Use the Theme method above (Format > Theme > Customise) to set your desired default font.
- Adjust any other settings you prefer (such as column widths, default colours, or cell wrapping).
- Rename the file to “Blank Default Template”.
Now, whenever you need to start a new spreadsheet, do not click the “Blank” button in Google Drive. Instead, right-click your “Blank Default Template” file, select Make a copy, and start working in the copy. This guarantees your preferred font is always loaded by default.