OpenType variants let you change the look of certain fonts without switching to a different typeface. These built-in alternates include stylistic sets, swashes, and ligatures that modify specific characters. Word supports these features, but the controls are hidden in the Font dialog box rather than the ribbon. This article explains how to enable OpenType variants for body text in your documents.
Key Takeaways: OpenType Variants in Word Body Text
- Font dialog > Advanced tab > OpenType features section: Contains all controls for stylistic sets, contextual alternates, and ligatures.
- Stylistic sets (Set 1 through Set 20): Each set applies a different character design variation within the same font family.
- Contextual alternates and swashes: Automatic substitution of letterforms based on surrounding characters or decorative needs.
What OpenType Variants Are and Which Fonts Support Them
OpenType is a font format developed by Microsoft and Adobe. It allows a single font file to contain multiple character designs, called variants. These variants are not separate fonts. They are alternate glyphs stored inside the same font. Examples include stylistic sets that change the shape of the letter “a” or “g,” swashes that add decorative flourishes, and ligatures that merge two characters into one connected glyph.
Not all fonts support OpenType variants. Only OpenType fonts with embedded variant tables can use these features. Common fonts that include variants are Gabriola, Palatino Linotype, Calibri, and many professional typefaces from Adobe and independent foundries. To check if a font supports variants, open the Font dialog in Word, select the font, and look at the Advanced tab. If the OpenType features section is grayed out, the font does not contain any variants.
Word exposes these controls only in the Font dialog box. The ribbon does not have buttons for stylistic sets or contextual alternates. You must open the dialog every time you want to change variant settings for a selection. Word remembers the variant settings for each document, but it does not apply them globally to all new documents by default.
Steps to Enable OpenType Variants in Body Text
The following steps apply OpenType variants to selected body text. You can repeat them for different sections of your document.
- Select the body text you want to modify
Click and drag to highlight the paragraph or section. To apply the variant to the entire document, press Ctrl+A to select all text. - Open the Font dialog box
Press Ctrl+D on your keyboard. Alternatively, click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Font group on the Home tab. - Switch to the Advanced tab
In the Font dialog, click the tab labeled Advanced. This tab contains typography controls that are not available on the Font tab. - Locate the OpenType features section
Scroll down to the bottom of the Advanced tab. The section is labeled OpenType features. It contains drop-down menus for Ligatures, Stylistic sets, and check boxes for Use Contextual Alternates. - Choose a stylistic set
Open the drop-down menu labeled Stylistic sets. Select a numbered set such as Set 1, Set 2, or Set 3. The preview pane at the bottom of the dialog shows the effect in real time. If the preview does not change, the font does not support that set. - Enable contextual alternates if desired
Check the box labeled Use Contextual Alternates. This setting replaces certain letters with alternate forms based on the letters around them. For example, a font might use a shorter descender on a lowercase “g” when it appears next to a letter with a tall ascender. - Set ligature behavior
Open the Ligatures drop-down menu. Choose Standard Only for common ligatures like “fi” and “fl.” Choose Standard and Discretionary to include decorative ligatures. Choose None to disable all ligatures. Discretionary ligatures may affect readability in body text. - Click OK to apply the settings
The dialog closes and the selected text updates with the chosen variants. If you do not see a change, the font likely lacks support for the selected variant.
Applying Variants to a Whole Document Using Styles
To apply OpenType variants to all body text consistently, modify the Normal style instead of selecting text manually each time. Right-click the Normal style in the Styles gallery on the Home tab. Choose Modify. Click Format in the lower-left corner and select Font. Go to the Advanced tab and set the OpenType features as described above. Click OK twice. Every paragraph using the Normal style will now display the variants.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Using OpenType Variants
Variants Do Not Appear After Applying a Stylistic Set
If the text does not change after you select a stylistic set, the font may not include that set. Many fonts only contain Set 1 or Set 2. Others may have sets up to Set 20, but most fonts use only the first few. Try a different set number. Also confirm that the font is an OpenType font. TrueType fonts and older PostScript fonts do not support OpenType variants.
Variants Change When the Document Is Opened on Another Computer
OpenType variants are font-dependent. If the reader does not have the exact same font installed, Word will substitute a different font. The substituted font likely will not contain the same variant data. To preserve the appearance, embed the font in the document. Go to File > Options > Save. Under Preserve fidelity when sharing this document, check Embed fonts in the file. Then choose Embed only the characters used in the document to keep the file size smaller.
Contextual Alternates Change Unexpected Letter Shapes
Some fonts use contextual alternates in ways that may look incorrect for body text. For example, a font may replace a standard lowercase “r” with a shorter version that looks like a misprint. If this happens, disable contextual alternates in the Font dialog. You can leave stylistic sets enabled for other character changes.
Ligatures Merge Characters That Should Stay Separate
Standard ligatures only affect pairs like “fi” and “fl.” Discretionary ligatures can merge letters such as “ct” or “st.” In body text, discretionary ligatures may reduce readability. Stick to Standard Only for most body text. Use Discretionary only for headings or short decorative passages.
OpenType Variants vs Standard Font Effects in Word
| Item | OpenType Variants | Standard Font Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Character change | Alters the shape of specific glyphs within the same font | Applies formatting like bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough without changing glyph shapes |
| Font requirement | Requires an OpenType font with embedded variant tables | Works with any font, including TrueType and vector fonts |
| Control location | Font dialog > Advanced tab > OpenType features | Home tab ribbon buttons and Font dialog > Font tab |
| Portability | Lost if the font is not embedded or if the recipient lacks the same font | Preserved even if the font is substituted, because formatting is applied by Word |
| Use case | Decorative headings, branding, or text requiring a specific character aesthetic | General emphasis, hierarchy, and readability in body text |
You can now apply OpenType variants to body text in Word using the Font dialog’s Advanced tab and the Normal style for consistent results. Try enabling a single stylistic set on a short paragraph first to see how the font responds. For documents shared with others, embed the font to preserve the variant appearance. The most reliable approach is to use standard ligatures and one stylistic set rather than combining multiple sets that may conflict.