Variable fonts not working properly in Indesign 19.0

Report · Oct 17, 2023

Hi, I had been using Marlide Display Variable font in Indesign with no issues until I updated from Indesign 18.5 to 19.0. Now Marlide Display weights seem to be all jumbled and not consistent. I'm guessing this is a bug in the new Indesign update?

Report · Oct 18, 2023

i have the same issue. It has nothing to do with font cache and it isn't an issue with the font itself. it has to be a bug in the adobe ecosystem

Report · Oct 19, 2023

I am having the same issue! This is a Google font; I removed and reinstalled it but nothing changed.

Report · Jul 08, 2024

Hi @defaulttsqwo0b2c3q3 ,

just tested Google variable font Outfit with weight 900 in my German InDesign 2024 version 19.4.0.63.

I had no issue at all. Below a screenshot from my test document where I placed your screenshot and typed my sample right below:

Important note:

The font file was stored in a Document fonts folder in the folder where the InDesign document was saved.

All tests done under macOS 12.7.1 on a MacBook Pro with M1-chip.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Report · Oct 20, 2023

Hi together,

if you export to PDF, will the text rendered in the right font weight?

I think this is a new bug; seen some reports here in the forum where this happened.

How large is the weight of the font? More than about 700 ?

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Report · Oct 20, 2023

I have the same problems after the update to Indesign 19 as mentioned above. In this case with the Ysabeau Black - Google font. If exported to pdf the font rendered correct but the spacing is not as it should be. This is a big problem and will mean that we cannot use Indesign 19.0 until solved 😞

Report · Oct 20, 2023

Hi @christel_applepie ,

that's indeed a bad situation, your image shown inline:

I had hope that the spacing in the exported PDF would be correct; apparently it is not!

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Report · Oct 20, 2023

It also has nothing to do with the font weight. The bug exists with weight values more and less than 700. In addition the variable font settings are extremely laggy and slow in general since the update.

Report · Dec 15, 2023

I just updated my Indesign to version 19.1 and the problem as mentioned above seems solved. Hope it stays this way 🙂

Report · Oct 20, 2023

Ok. Every one reading this thread and is affected, vote for fixing the bug with variable fonts in InDesign 2024 version 19.0.0.151 on InDesign UserVoice:

Problem with Variable font weights.
John Nolan, Oct 13 2023
https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs/suggestions/47344655-problem-with-v...

Quoting John: "Some variable fonts works as expected, but for some, the font displays at a lighter weight (perhaps regular?) when the weight is set for anything heavier than about 750. It appears that the heavier weight's metrics are used."

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Report · Dec 14, 2023

Still a problem in 19.01. Saw a post that it was fixed in a pre-release version, but that was 20 days ago. And the update from 12/13 does not fix the problem. Still getting jumbled weights in a text of thre same wieght varaible font, or charcter spacing incorrect on output with the correct weight displaying!

Report · Dec 14, 2023

Hi @dbeattie-rcb ,

still have no access to InDesign version 19.1.0 here in Germany.

As I understand the issue, I could be wrong, there is more than one bug to fix.

Seems that some bugs are still not fixed yet and the engineers are looking further into it (I hope so).

So best provide sample files where you still see issues with InDesign version 19.1.0..

Do that on InDesign User Voice.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Report · Dec 14, 2023

19.0.1 is NOT 19.1.

Report · Dec 15, 2023

Yes, we know 19.0.1 is not 19.1. In the midst of dealing with the issue the bug caused, I did not notice the update that was available was 19.0.1 and NOT 19.1. The post about 19.1 being released was a little misleading as the 'phased rollout' disclaimer was somewhat minimized, but my mistake.

Report · Jun 27, 2024

I am also having issues with Open Sans not displaying correctly in InDesign (lowercase a and e dislays and exports to PDF smaller than the other letters making it look weird and quriky) - how do I fix this - it is urgent!

Report · Jun 27, 2024

I am also having issues with Open Sans not displaying correctly in InDesign (lowercase a and e dislays and exports to PDF smaller than the other letters making it look weird and quriky) - how do I fix this - it is urgent!

By @Kate37797735bz1a

InDesign 2024 has known issues with variable fonts. Are you having this problem in the latest version, InDesign 19.4? If so, then it still hasn't been fixed. You may need to revert to InDesign 2023 (you can install it in addition to InDesign 2024). That's my understanding of the current status of this issue.

Report · Jun 27, 2024

Yes! I am using 19.4. I'll install the 2023 legacy version and try again. Total pain in the butt!

Report · Jul 05, 2024

My guess is that 2023 did not fix your issue. Variable fonts should be best kept off-limits as Adobe still fails to fully support them.

Report · Jul 07, 2024

Nothing worked.
Adobe fonts version of Open Sans is the only solution - and we can't have any other font as its already been signed off and approved.
Adobe - you need to play nice with Google & microsoft and vice versa. These tech wars are getting ridulous and impacting how people interact with your products.

Report · Jul 08, 2024

Worst case scenario, you can convert all type to outlines in a copy of the document. Hopefully it is not a large multipage project.

Report · Jul 08, 2024

Hi @Kate37797735bz1a ,

could you provide a sample InDesign document where you see the issue?

Just attach it to your reply with the forum editor. One text frame and one page is sufficient.

Thanks,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Report · Apr 14, 2025

Did Adobe ever resolve your issue?

Report · Apr 14, 2025

Hi @dbeattie-rcb,

Could you please share the version of InDesign you're facing this issue with, along with the details of your operating system? Also, it would be really helpful if you could drop a screenshot of the issue and let us know the font name and its developer.

To start with, try signing out and back into the Creative Cloud Desktop App and see if the issue persists. Additionally, try clearing your font cache using the steps mentioned here: https://adobe.ly/4j6AQvV

Looking forward to more details, so we can help you better.

Abhishek

Report · Apr 14, 2025

I did not report on this issue, I asked the original post author if Adobe had ever fixed her issue.

I reported the numerous variable weight font issues and got ZERO response from Adobe.

Named New Hampshire Green Business of the Year

Drew Beattie
Prepress Manager

<Personal info removed by MOD>

Report · Apr 15, 2025

Hi @nsy786,

Thanks for bringing this up. I checked the status of the reported bug, and it looks like it's marked as resolved in InDesign version 19.1 and above. Could you please confirm which version you're currently using and the details of your operating system?

Also, if you’re still seeing the issue, it’d be really helpful if you could share a small screen recording showing what’s happening on your end. That way, I can check and see if it's something that still needs to be looked into further with the team.

Additionally, could you let me know if this behavior occurs with a particular font or across different ones?

Looking forward to your update!

Abhishek