Adobe InDesign can be used to create a variety of printed materials, such as books, posters, pamphlets, and brochures. New fonts installed on the computer can be used in InDesign, as well as other applications. If you're using InDesign version 2019 or later, you can install free fonts from Adobe, without ever leaving the app. This wikiHow teaches you how to install new fonts on a Windows or MacOs computer, and add them to InDesign so you can use them.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Enabling Adobe Fonts in InDesign 2019
Step 1. Open InDesign on the computer
These applications are stored in the “Applications” folder on Mac computers, and in the “Start” menu on Windows computers. The 2019 version of InDesign allows you to activate thousands of pre-licensed free fonts directly from the app.
Step 2. Click Find More on the “Character” panel
If you don't see the panel, press Cmd+T (Mac) or Ctrl+T (PC) to open it. Knob Find More ” is just below the font selection menu.
Step 3. Browse the list of fonts
All the featured fonts can be downloaded for free. You can preview each font in the list by hovering over its name.
Step 4. Click the “Download” button next to the font
Each font has a cloud icon next to its name. If you see a cloud icon with an arrow pointing down next to the font, the option is not installed in the program. Click the cloud icon to download the font.
- The arrow image on the cloud will change to a tick when the font is ready to use in InDesign.
- Installed fonts will also be available in Illustrator 2019 and other Adobe applications.
Method 2 of 3: Downloading New Fonts on Mac Computer
Step 1. Download the font file to your computer
There are many websites that offer free fonts to download for personal use. You can use a subscription search engine to search for such websites and browse the available font options. When you find the font you want, click the “ Download ” to save the font file to the computer. Some of the popular font download sites are https://www.dafont.com, https://www.1001freefonts.com, and
- InDesign supports the following font types: OpenType, TrueType, Type 1, Multiple Master, and Composite. If the website asks you to choose a format before the font file is downloaded, choose one of the above formats.
- If the project you create in InDesign is a commercial one (e.g. an advertisement, paid publication, a website designed for profit, or a social media promotion), you will usually need to purchase a license from a font designer.
Step 2. Close InDesign
Before installing the font, save the work in InDesign and close the app first if you haven't already.
Step 3. Open Finder
on the computer.
This app is characterized by a happy face with two colors displayed in the Dock.
Step 4. Browse to the folder containing the downloaded font files
Downloaded files are usually saved automatically in the “ Downloads If the download is a compressed/archive file (usually with a “.zip” extension), double-click the file to extract its contents.
Downloaded font files usually have an “.otf” or “.ttf” extension
Step 5. Double-click the font file
A dialog window showing a preview of the font will open.
Step 6. Click Install Font
It's a blue button in the lower-right corner of the dialog window. The font will be attached to the computer.
Step 7. Open InDesign
You can find the icon in the “Applications” folder. The installed font will now appear in the “Font” menu in the “Character” panel.
You can browse the fonts installed on your computer in InDesign
Method 3 of 3: Downloading New Fonts on PC
Step 1. Download the font file to your computer
There are many websites that offer free fonts to download for personal use. You can use a subscription search engine to search for such websites and browse the available font options. When you find the font you want, click the “ Download ” to save the font file to the computer.
- InDesign supports the following font types: OpenType, TrueType, Type 1, Multiple Master, and Composite. If the website asks you to choose a format before the font file is downloaded, choose one of the above formats.
- If the project you create in InDesign is a commercial one (e.g. an advertisement, paid publication, a website designed for profit, or a social media promotion), you will usually need to purchase a license from a font designer.
- Some of the popular font download sites are https://www.dafont.com, https://www.1001freefonts.com, and
Step 2. Close InDesign
Before installing the font, save the work in InDesign and close the app first if you haven't already.
Step 3. Right-click the “Start” menu
and select File Explorer.
A computer file browsing window will open.
Step 4. Browse to the folder containing the downloaded fonts
Downloaded files are usually saved automatically in the “ Downloads " If the download is a compressed/archive file (usually with a “.zip” extension), right-click the file, select “ Extract All, and click " Extract " The compressed file will be extracted and produce a folder containing the fonts, or separate font files directly.
Downloaded font files usually have an “.otf” or “.ttf” extension
Step 5. Right-click the font file and select Install
Now, the font will be installed to the computer.
Step 6. Open InDesign
You can find this program in the “Start” menu. The installed font will be displayed in the “Font” menu in the “Character” panel.
Tips
- There are several categories of fonts available. Serif (with "foot") and sans-serif (without "foot") are the two most common types of fonts. Some popular serif fonts are Times New Roman and Garamond. Popular sans serif fonts include Arial and Helvetica. Apart from that, there are several decorative fonts. This means that this type of font has a more unique appearance than regular serif or sans-serif fonts. Several decorative fonts, including Papyrus and Playbill.
- When downloading files from the internet, you can harm your computer by virus or malware attack. Protect your computer by making sure you have up-to-date antivirus programs before downloading font files.
- Only download fonts from trusted sources or websites.
