Changing Fonts for All Text Layers in After Effects

Introduction

In After Effects, you might often work with multiple text layers across a composition. Changing the font of each one individually can be time-consuming. This tutorial shows you how to select all text layers and change their font at once using the Character panel. You’ll also learn some useful alignment and design tips to improve your layout and style.
Step 1: Open Your Project
Start by opening your After Effects project that contains the text layers you want to update. Make sure your timeline is visible so you can easily find and select your text layers.

Step 2: Select All Text Layers
Hold down Ctrl/Cmd and click each text layer in the timeline to select them. You can also use Shift to select a range of layers. Make sure you only select text layers, as changing fonts only applies to those.

Step 3: Change the Font in the Character Panel
With all text layers selected, open the Character or Properties panel (Window > Character). Choose a new font from the dropdown list. You can also adjust the font size, tracking, and other text properties here. All selected layers will update at once.

Step 4: Align Your Text Layers (Optional)
To make your layout look cleaner, open the Align panel (Window > Align). Use the alignment tools to center your text layers or distribute them evenly. This helps especially when you’re working with title sequences or motion graphics.

Step 5: Add Effects for Emphasis (Optional)
To make a specific phrase stand out, you can apply effects like Turbulent Displace to selected text layers. Go to Effects & Presets, find the effect, and drag it onto the layer. This creates a visual difference without changing the font, helping you draw attention to important words.

Step 6: Preview Your Composition
Press Spacebar to preview the animation and see how your new fonts and layout look in motion. Check for readability, spacing, and design consistency. Make any final tweaks before exporting your work.

Conclusion
Changing the font of all text layers in After Effects is simple when you use the Character panel and select your layers correctly. It saves time and keeps your design consistent. Whether you’re updating a title sequence, lower thirds, or full-screen text, using these steps will help you work faster and more professionally.