Forum Discussion
How can I customize the font in the Conditional Format
I can´t customize the Conditional Format. I can´t change the font type. Only appears a message: "This is a cloud source and will be downloaded when applied". I have tried all recomendations but I´m still having the same problem.
7 Replies
Thank you for your response. I´m still having this problem. I haven´t using any special font. I´m trying with "calibri" font, but I can set up the format in any form. I have tried from a new file, new formula, and I just can´t set up the font. Every time appears the same message: "This is a cloud source and will be downloaded when applied". I also checked all setting you recommended. All fonts are in my local computer, I´m using excel from Office 365. Even if I use a new file I can´t set up the font because this option is not available.
Is there any other suggestion to solve this?
Thanks again!
Thank you for your response. I´m still having this problem. I haven´t using any special font. I´m trying with "calibri" font, but I can set up the format in any form. I have tried from a new file, new formula, and I just can´t set up the font. Every time appears the same message: "This is a cloud source and will be downloaded when applied". I also checked all setting you recommended. All fonts are in my local computer, I´m using excel from Office 365. Even if I use a new file, I can´t set up the font because the option is not avaiblable.
Is there any other suggestion to solve this?
Thanks again!
Thank you for your response. I´m still having this problem. I haven´t using any special font. I´m trying with "calibri" font, but I can set up the format in any form. I have tried from a new file, new formula, and I just can´t set up the font. Every time appears the same message: "This is a cloud source and will be downloaded when applied". I also checked all setting you recommended. All fonts are in my local computer, I´m using excel from Office 365. But even if I try with a new file, the option to set up the font type is not available.
Is there any other suggestion to solve this?
Microsoft 365 has moved to "Cloud Fonts", like Aptos, Calibri, and others. On some systems (especially Windows with non-standard setups, or corporate-managed devices), Excel fails to fully download and cache the fonts — making them unavailable inside Conditional Formatting.
Even if these fonts appear in regular Excel formatting, they don't apply correctly in the Conditional Formatting Font window, which is more strict.
OPTION 1: Force Fonts to Download via Font Settings
- Open Windows Settings → Personalization → Fonts
(or search for "Fonts" in the Start menu) - Find fonts like Calibri, Aptos, or Aptos Narrow
- If you see a cloud/download icon next to them → Click to download
- When the font shows “Installed” instead of “Available in the cloud”, Excel should allow it in Conditional Formatting.
OPTION 2: Use Local Fonts (Workaround)
Try using these fonts that are always installed locally:
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Verdana
- Tahoma
Go to:
Inicio > Formato condicional > Nueva regla > Formato... > Fuente
Then test Arial or Verdana. If these apply successfully — then it’s a cloud font issue.OPTION 3: Reinstall Office Fonts (Full Pack)
You can manually install the entire Office font package:
- Download from Microsoft:
o Office Cloud Fonts Pack (Official Microsoft link)
- Install fonts like Aptos, Calibri, Cambria, etc.
- Restart Excel.
- Try Conditional Formatting again.
OPTION 4: Switch to Excel Online
If you’re blocked on desktop:
- Upload your file to https://www.office.com
- Open it in Excel Online
- Try Conditional Formatting → Fonts there
Excel Online doesn’t have the same restriction, since fonts are always web-accessible.
Option
What to Do
Fixes Issue?
Font Settings
Download Calibri/Aptos via Windows font settings
Most reliable
Use Arial/Verdana
Avoid cloud fonts for conditional formatting
Easy workaround
Install full font pack
Get Office fonts locally
Permanent fix
Try Excel Online
Test if issue is desktop-only
Confirms root cause
With your permission, if all not works…I recommend to provide more information.
Welcome to your Excel discussion space!
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
- Open Windows Settings → Personalization → Fonts
You're encountering a known limitation in Excel (Mac or Windows) when working with conditional formatting + cloud fonts (e.g., in OneDrive or SharePoint) — and that message:
"This is a cloud source and will be downloaded when applied"
…means Excel is trying to fetch the font, but can’t apply it in the conditional formatting dialog because the font isn't available locally (yet), or the formatting UI restricts custom font selection.
What you can do:
Use Only Installed (Local) Fonts
Conditional formatting only supports fonts that are fully installed on your system. Cloud fonts (Office cloud fonts like Calibri, Aptos, etc.) won't appear or apply until they're downloaded and installed.
You cannot use non-installed fonts (e.g., from Office 365 cloud fonts) inside conditional formatting — it’s a technical limitation.
Pre-format the Cell Style (This can sometimes bypass the font UI restriction — only if the style uses a local font).
Download/Install the Font (if it's marked as a cloud font, download and install it).
You can’t change font type in conditional formatting using Office Cloud fonts unless they’re fully downloaded.
Conditional formatting does not allow full font customizations (like bold and font family changes) with all fonts — especially cloud-based ones.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
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Hello, thank you for your response.
I´m still having this problem. I haven´t using any special font. I´m trying with "calibri" font, but I can set up the format in any form. I have tried from a new file, new formula, and I just can´t set up the font. Every time appears the same message: "This is a cloud source and will be downloaded when applied". I also checked all setting you recommended and everything looks fine. All fonts are in my local computer, I´m using excel from Office 365. Even form a new file, the option to set up the font is not available.
Is there any other suggestion to solve this?
