Change font and letter size in Preview

I've loaded a PDF in Preview, and I saw it has the ability to fill in fields. When I try to type in those fields, all I get is a tiny, centered Helvetica. Obviously I can't use that (both for readability reasons and for font choice), but when I change my font and size in the markup menu, nothing happens. I even highlight the text before selecting a font, and nothing happens. Is there a fix for this?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.4

Posted on Aug 19, 2023 12:51 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 12, 2024 10:06 AM

I am having the same problem and don't understand why accessing the markup tools is the suggested solution here.

When a PDF form is being filled in Markup isn't being used.

I am filling in my USA tax forms and all the input fields that I type into a blue font is displayed.

Also Font Size and Font Colour are Greyed out in the Tools menu. Why is this?

14 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 12, 2024 10:06 AM in response to Old Toad

I am having the same problem and don't understand why accessing the markup tools is the suggested solution here.

When a PDF form is being filled in Markup isn't being used.

I am filling in my USA tax forms and all the input fields that I type into a blue font is displayed.

Also Font Size and Font Colour are Greyed out in the Tools menu. Why is this?

Apr 12, 2024 10:27 AM in response to nueve_leon


Also Font Size and Font Colour are Greyed out in the Tools menu. Why is this?

The PDF creator assigns the font and color for fill-in fields. It’s quite possible Preview is misinterpreting the code.

I have seen some that change the size when I exit the field.

It only matters if you are printing the form and sending a hard copy. If it is submitted electronically, the data is extracted by a machine.

If it is an issue, use Adobe Reader and send Feedback to Apple.

Aug 19, 2023 03:28 PM in response to ItIsNotRick

Bring up the Markup toolbar in Preview and click on the View ➙ Show Markup Toolbar menu option:



Then click on this button in the toolbar and change the font, size and color to whatever you'd like:



Additionally, give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


Apr 12, 2024 10:21 AM in response to nueve_leon

nueve_leon wrote:

I am having the same problem and don't understand why accessing the markup tools is the suggested solution here.
When a PDF form is being filled in Markup isn't being used.
I am filling in my USA tax forms and all the input fields that I type into a blue font is displayed.
Also Font Size and Font Colour are Greyed out in the Tools menu. Why is this?

Did you try the Safe Mode boot as I suggested earlier?

Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?

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Change font and letter size in Preview

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