Here's what to do if you get a missing font warning. If you try to open a PSD file, meaning a Photoshop file, from someone else, or a PSD file that you created on a different computer, you may get a font warning. I'm using the file called missing-font.psd from the Part 3 lesson seven practice folder.

I made this file on my husband's computer and used a very old font of his called Sans Serif Extra Bold. As you can see, when I tried to open this file on my computer, I get a warning that says some text layers contain fonts that are missing. Changes to missing fonts will result in font substitution. Use the Layer, Type Missing Fonts menu to select a suitable replacement. And then it tells me which font is the culprit.

When this happens to you click Okay and your document will open. If you look at the Layers panel, you'll see a warning symbol on the font thumbnail. If you go to the menu given to you by the warning dialog box, Layer Type, you won't actually see the missing fonts menu, but there is an option to replace all missing fonts.

If you choose this option, Photoshop Elements will choose a font for you. And usually it doesn't match the original very well. You can either search through your list of fonts to find a more suitable font, or you can press Ctrl Z in Windows or Command Z on a Mac to undo and simply use the type as is. You won't be able to alter what the type says. If you get the Type tool and click on the type to activate it you'll just get another warning, so I'll click Cancel.

Here's what you can do when you run into this problem. If you like the font, search for it on the internet by typing the name of the font plus the word "font" into a search engine. If you find the font it may be free, or it may be a paid font.

If you don't acquire the actual font, you can still resize the type layer. Press Ctrl T on Windows or Command T on a Mac to get transform options. You'll get another warning that the font is missing. But it will also tell you that the existing pixel data will be used and ask if you want to continue. Click Okay and resize the type. I'll click and drag from a corner handle to maintain the original proportions and click on the checkmark to commit the change.

Another option to get rid of the warning on the layer is to simplify the type. Right click on the font layer and choose Simplify Layer, and that turns the type layer into a non-editable pixel layer.

So those are some options when you open a file containing a font that you don't have on your computer.