Arial Unicode MS
What is Arial Unicode MS?
Arial Unicode MS ist a true type font containing the complete set of gylphs as specified by the Unicode specification 2.1. It is the most complete unicode font currently available. Further information can be found in this Wikipedia article.
Where do i get the font?
Arial Unicode MS is the exclusive property of Microsoft. It used to be downloadable for free for users of MS Publisher, but this download is not available any longer. Arial Unicode can now be purchased as part of the following products:
- Microsoft Office: Since Office 2000, Arial Unicode has been a part of the Office package.
- The test versions of Microsoft Office also include the font - installation will require registration, though..
- Since version 10.5 (Leopard) Apple has licensed the font for the Mac OS X operating system. The font can be installed via "Optional Installs" with the package "additional fonts".
- The font can also be purchased separately from AscenderFonts at a price of $99.00.
Are there alternatives?
Arial Unicode MS is the most complete font. There are, however, free alternatives which also cover a great part of the Unicode specification:
- Cyberbit (formerly Bitstream Cyberbit, now developed as TITUS Cyberbit) - free for non-commercial use
- Lucida Sans Unicode also contains many Unicode glyphs and has been a part of Microsoft Windows since Windows 98; a largely identical font (Lucida Grande) ist a part of all Mac OS X versions
- Junicode is an open Source font, which also covers a great part of Unicode
- A list with further fonts is available from http://www.alanwood.net/unicode/fonts.html