Simplicity is key to delivering effective presentations. According to Microsoft, the right font size and style is one the audience can easily read from a distance, helping to deliver the message and produce a good outcome. Fortunately, you don't have to hunt down and install rare fonts because some of the most heavily used, preinstalled fonts work well for presentations.
Arial
Professional software programs, such as Microsoft Office, normally come with default fonts, but these fonts don't always translate well and may be unreadable in the conference room. When you switch your presentation from a laptop to the boardroom, the Arial font consistently displays presentations better, according to Digital Inspiration, a website that offers guides and solutions to using software tools. In fact, Microsoft Office also recommends the Arial font for use in presentations.
The Arial font is common to all computers. Even if you switch systems and upload your presentation using another unit with an older operating system, you can bank on your presentation to still remain intact and readable.
Helvetica
As common as Arial, Helvetica is a versatile and minimalist typeface. This font type can work well with other elements, especially when a presentation requires the use of images and diagrams. Even when writing on top of an image, the Helvetica font still shows up as polished and readable. Helvetica is often used in company logos because of its neutrality and versatility, notes Vision Widget, a tutorial site for visual artists.
Tahoma
Captions, titles and labels in presentations are often emphasized by writing them in boldface or italics. To stand out, these captions, titles and labels should project a bit differently than the other content of the presentation, advises Microsoft. A font type, such as Tahoma, can work in this situation. Tahoma is a font without flair, but it's clean and readable in most sizes. Compared to the commonly used Verdana font, Tahoma's letter spacing is more compact and tighter.
Verdana
The font type Verdana belongs to the same sans-serif font classification as Arial, Helvetica and Tahoma. In presentations that require the use of a computer, sans-serif fonts project on the monitor better than other font classifications, according to Scribe.com.au, a website managed by a copy editing consultant. Slide presentations using Verdana font aren't distracting to read and follow. Just like Helvetica, Verdana can be used to emphasize titles and subheadings.
