Word 2016 default font

The easiest way for a small change like this is make the font change in the Normal Style and then save the Normal Style.

I did this and use Arial 12 point as default. This works fine.

how do I get to that option?

Here, check attached file. Modify it the way you like.
Microsoft-word.png

open a new document, change the font to whatever you want, and save the file under

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates

Select allOpen in new window

replace the current Normal.dot file. Normal .not is the master file for Microsoft word

Style Management is on the main Ribbon.  See below

I'm not finding anything listed under Style Management to change the default font.  I want it to be Arial 12 pt for all future documents.

It's not listed under it, you have to right click on it using the mouse and then click modify.

It is listed under Home, Font.

Thank you Ryan, and good luck with Fonts.

Another thing I did in the Normal Style was to set line spacing to Single.  I do an extra line space manually if I need.

thank you, that helps too.