HOW TO

Modify the Microsoft Windows font engine so that the PostScript Type 1 versions of Times and Helvetica can be used in ArcMap

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Summary

Instructions provided describe how to modify Microsoft Windows settings to allow use of the PostScript Type 1 versions of the fonts, Times and Helvetica, in ArcMap. This procedure should only be performed by users who have installed the PostScript Type 1 version of one or both of these fonts and have experienced problems selecting the fonts in the ArcMap font selector drop-down menu.

Warning:
The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary. ESRI cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions. Therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

Procedure

To disable the Windows font engine's automatic mapping of Times font to Times New Roman, delete the Times entry from the Windows registry FontSubstitutes key. To disable mapping of Helvetica to Arial, delete the Helvetica entry.

  1. Close ArcMap.
  2. Install the Type 1 version of the Times or Helvetica font to the Windows font folder.
  3. Navigate to Start > Run, type regedit and click OK.
  4. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes.
  5. Locate the REG_SZ entries for Times and Helvetica

    [O-Image] TimesNewRomanRegValue
    [O-Image] HelveticaFontRegEntry2
  6. Right-click on the Times reg entry and click Delete. When prompted 'Are you sure,' click YES. Repeat this step for the Helvetica reg entry.
  7. Close the registry editor.
  8. Reboot the machine and restart ArcMap or any other ArcGIS application.

Article ID: 000009624

Software:
  • ArcMap 9 x

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