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New Fonts for Improved Reading Speed in Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets

Google has developed a new series of fonts explicitly designed to enhance reading speed and fluency for Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets.

Google teamed with Education Therapist Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup and typographer Thomas Jockin.  Dr. Shaver-Troup found that perception-based solutions were more effective in improving reading performance and cognition than cognitive-based ones.  Together with Thomas Jockin, they developed the Lexend font series.  

What benefits do the Lexend font series provide to readers?

Bonnie Shaver-Troup theorized that reading issues may be a result of student's sensitivity to typographical factors like size and spacing.  The Lexend font series provide a clean Sans Serif font base with spacing options helping the reader improve both reading speed and cognition.  (Sans Serif fonts assist students with Dyslexia and other learning issues.)  Lexend is especially suitable for readers who are bothered by visual crowding. 



How do I get the Lexend font?  How do my students?

While in a Google Doc, Slide, or Sheet, click the inverted triangle next to the style of Font.




Click More fonts located near the top.  A window reveals your font menu.  Search for Lexend, and the font series appears.  Letter spacing is the crucial difference between the Lexend fonts.  Add the Lexend fonts to your Fonts list and click OK.  


These fonts are now available for use in any Google Doc, Slide, or Sheet where you have edit privileges.

Make Lexend your default font.

If you wish to make Lexend your default font:

  • Type a few words using the Lexend font in a Google Doc.  
  • Highlight the text.  
  • In the box located to the left of your font choice, click the inverted triangle.
  • Highlight Normal text (your default) and click Update 'normal text' to match.  

You have now set your default font to Lexend.  



Interested in more in-depth information and research?

Click here for a more detailed explanation of the Lexend fonts and view their tool to discover the best Lexend font size for a specific student.   
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