A compatibility solution for Mac OS X users looking for the Microsoft ClearType™ fonts that are included with Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac software products was announced by a leading provider of advanced font products, Ascender Corporation. Office 2008 for Mac includes 24 fonts that were first introduced in Windows™ Vista and Microsoft Office 2007.

Microsoft has authorized Ascender to distribute the Microsoft ClearType Font Collection directly to graphic designers, individuals and businesses. Mac users who require the fonts for compatibility purposes but do not have the Office 2008 for Mac software, can download the fonts directly from Ascender Corp: http://www.ascendercorp.com/ctfonts.html.

Later this year Microsoft will release, to ensure compatibility between Office suites, an update to Office 2004 for Mac with a free license for the Microsoft ClearType Font Collection.

Vice President of Ascender Corp., Steve Kuhlman, said: "While this will solve font compatibility issues for users of Office 2004, users of other applications such as Adobe Creative Suite or QuarkXPress who do not have Office will still require a valid license for these fonts". He added: "The ClearType fonts appeal to designers looking for fresh, elegantly-designed fonts with extensive OpenType typographic features and pan-European language support".

With italic, regular, bold and bold italic styles, Office 2008 for Mac includes six new typeface families:
- Calibri™ is the new default sans serif font in Microsoft Office 2007 and Office 2008 for Mac. Calibri was designed by Luc(as) de Groot.
- Cambria™ is the new default serif font in Microsoft Office 2007 and Office 2008 for Mac. Cambria was designed by Jelle Bosma with Robin Nicholas & Steve Matteson.
- Candara™ is a lively sans serif design suitable for email, Web design and informal settings. Candara was designed by Gary Munch.
- Consolas™ is a monospaced font that is great for programmers setting code. Consolas was designed by Luc(as) de Groot.
- Constantia™ is a modulated wedge-serif design ideal for publishing both online and in print. Constantia was designed by John Hudson.
- Corbel™ is a sans serif with an uncluttered and clean appearance on screen. Corbel was designed by Jeremy Tankard.

Under the direction of Microsoft's Advanced Reading Technologies team by leading type designers, consultants and font software engineers, these fonts were carefully specified and cooperatively designed. They were designed to significantly improve the on-screen reading experience and contain extended multi-language support (including Latin, Greek and Cyrillic scripts), advanced OpenType typographic features and specialty character sets.