InDesign automatically loads any font that is in that folder when you open the document! That means in order to use the font, you don’t have to use a font manager or find the fonts folder or anything. But the Document Fonts folder is far more interesting and helpful than that. Most people think that this is just a handy way to keep all the document fonts in one place so you can transport them along with the document. You can also bypass the Package feature and just make your own folder next to any InDesign file and call it “Document fonts”. You know about Adobe’s special Document Fonts folder, right? When you use File > Package, InDesign usually puts all your fonts into this special folder, next to the packaged InDesign file: The fact that the font is up at the very top of the menu is important: That means it is a “recently used font.” And recently used fonts aren’t necessarily installed on your computer! There is at least one instance where a recently-used font may not be available for you to use… So what the heck is going on here?! Document Fonts But it is available! It’s right there in my Font menu: In this case, I know the characters are available, so the font must not be available.

The dreaded pink means one of two things: either the font is not currently available, or the characters are not available in this particular font. Unfortunately, the text was immediately highlighted with “the dreaded pink.” What’s wrong here? Why can’t I apply this font that is in my Font menu?

In the following image, I have opened a document, selected some text, and applied a font: I was reminded today about a common problem.

Font missing in fontbook