New Outlook doesn't let you install fonts the way older versions did

New Outlook (the version that runs in your web browser or as a Microsoft 365 app) doesn't have a built-in menu to add custom fonts like Cavolini. The process uses a fixed set of fonts that Microsoft has approved for email, and you cannot expand that list by installing files on your computer. If you try to send an email formatted in Cavolini to someone else, their email client will substitute a different font when they open it — usually Arial or Times New Roman — because they don't have Cavolini installed either.

This is different from older versions of Outlook (Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016) that let you use any font installed on your Windows machine. New Outlook prioritizes compatibility and security, which means fewer formatting options but fewer broken emails when recipients open them.

Key Takeaways

  • New Outlook has a fixed list of approved fonts and does not allow you to add custom fonts like Cavolini through settings or file installation.
  • If you format an email in a font your recipient doesn't have, they will see a substitute font instead, making custom fonts unreliable for email.
  • You can use Cavolini in the body of an email by copying formatted text from Word or another process, but the recipient may not see it as Cavolini.
  • If you need to send a document in Cavolini font, attach a PDF or Word file instead of formatting the email body itself.
  • Older Outlook versions (2019, 2016) allow custom fonts, but New Outlook does not support this feature.

The fonts available in New Outlook

When you open the font menu in New Outlook, you see options like Calibri, Cambria, Arial, Georgia, Times New Roman, Courier New, and a few others. These are the only fonts you can select from the dropdown. The list is the same whether you use Outlook on the web, Outlook for Windows (the new version), or Outlook for Mac.

Microsoft chose these fonts because they are widely installed on computers and phones worldwide. This ensures that when someone receives your email, the text appears the way you intended, regardless of what device they use or what software they have installed.

Why you cannot add Cavolini or other custom fonts

New Outlook does not read fonts from your computer's font folder the way older programs did. Even if you install Cavolini on your Windows machine or Mac, New Outlook will not recognize it or add it to the font menu. The process maintains its own closed list of approved fonts for security and compatibility reasons.

This design choice prevents malicious fonts from being embedded in emails and ensures that formatting stays consistent across different devices and operating systems. It also simplifies the experience for users — you see the same font options whether you are on a work computer, a personal laptop, or a phone.

Workaround: Copy formatted text from Word

If you have a document formatted in Cavolini in Microsoft Word, you can copy that text and paste it into a New Outlook email. Open the Word document, select the text you want, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then click in the email body and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V). The formatting will paste into the email.

However, this approach has a significant limitation: when the recipient opens the email, their email client will substitute Cavolini with a default font if they do not have Cavolini installed. The formatting will not survive the journey. This method works only if you know the recipient has Cavolini on their system, which is rare for a decorative font.

For this reason, copying formatted text is useful only for internal emails within an organization where you know everyone has the same fonts installed, or for emails where the exact font matters less than the content.

Better option: Send a PDF or Word attachment instead

If the appearance of text in Cavolini font is important — for example, you are sending a design mockup, a formatted invitation, or a branded document — attach the file as a PDF or Word document instead of trying to format the email body itself. This preserves the font exactly as you created it.

To do this, create your document in Word or another process, format it in Cavolini, then save it as a PDF (File > Save As > PDF) or keep it as a .docx file. In New Outlook, click the paperclip icon to attach the file, select your document, and send. The recipient will open the attachment and see Cavolini exactly as you formatted it, because the font is embedded in the PDF or the recipient can open the Word file.

This method also works if you are sending a signature, letterhead, or any other design element that depends on a specific font. The attachment approach is more reliable than trying to force custom fonts into the email body itself.

If you need custom fonts, use older Outlook versions

If you are using Outlook 2019 or Outlook 2016 (the desktop versions, not the web version), you can use any font installed on your computer, including Cavolini. These older versions read fonts directly from your Windows font folder or Mac font library. You can select Cavolini from the font dropdown and send the email.

Keep in mind that recipients using these older versions will see Cavolini only if they also have it installed. Recipients using New Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, or other modern email clients will see a substitute font. The older versions do not solve the compatibility problem — they just give you the option to try.

If your organization still uses Outlook 2019 or 2016 and you need to stick with custom fonts for internal communication, you can continue using those versions. However, Microsoft is gradually retiring older Outlook versions, and most users are moving to New Outlook or Microsoft 365 versions that do not support custom fonts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Cavolini font on my computer and use it in New Outlook?

No. New Outlook does not read fonts from your computer's font folder. Even if you install Cavolini through Windows Settings or Font Book on Mac, New Outlook will not display it in the font menu or use it in emails. The process maintains its own fixed list of approved fonts.

What happens if I paste Cavolini-formatted text from Word into a New Outlook email?

The text will paste with formatting, but when the recipient opens the email, their email client will substitute Cavolini with a default font like Arial or Times New Roman if they do not have Cavolini installed. The font will not appear as Cavolini on their end.

Is there a way to embed Cavolini font in an email so recipients always see it?

No. Email clients do not support embedded fonts the way PDFs do. The only reliable way to send text in Cavolini is to attach a PDF or Word file that contains the formatted text. The recipient will then see the font exactly as you created it when they open the attachment.

Why did Microsoft remove custom font support from New Outlook?

New Outlook prioritizes compatibility and security. Using only a standard set of fonts ensures emails display consistently across all devices and operating systems, and it prevents malicious fonts from being embedded in messages. This trade-off means fewer formatting options but more reliable email delivery.

Can I use Cavolini in my email signature in New Outlook?

You can type your signature in New Outlook and select Cavolini from the font menu, but recipients will see a substitute font unless they have Cavolini installed. For a signature that must appear in a specific font, create it as an image or attach a formatted document instead.