Why Use the Project Scanner?
Before a project goes to print, publish, or production, font-related issues can create costly delays, legal exposure, and brand inconsistencies. The Monotype Connect Project Scanning tool acts as your pre-flight checkpoint. Surfacing font risks early so your team can resolve them before they become problems.
Recommended - For best results, use the Project Scanner alongside the Monotype Connect plug-ins for Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and InCopy. This ensures fonts are properly activated and sourced before scanning, reducing the likelihood of missing font flags and improving the accuracy of your results.
How to use the Project Scanning tool
Drag and drop project files to inspect them for font usage and licensing risks. Once scanned, you'll receive a full report — including suggested resolution steps for any issues found.
Supported file types: Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and PDF
This tool scans for:
- Missing fonts — including system and subscription fonts
- Outdated font formats — including PostScript Type 1 fonts
- Unlicensed fonts*
- Expired font licenses*
- Font licenses expiring within 90 days*
- Overutilized font licenses — fonts installed on more systems than the license permits*
Understanding Your Scan Results
After dropping and scanning your project file(s), the tool displays a results table with the following information for each project:
Recommended - For best results, use “Expand All Rows” to show the details outlined below.
Project File Name / Info Identifies the scanned file.
Font Name Each detected font is listed with the following details:
- License Count — Number of licensed seats
- Font Sense ID — Unique identifier for the font
- Terms — License terms governing how the font may be used
- Libraries — Which library or libraries the font belongs to
Each font also displays a status indicator across six compliance categories:
A Red exclamation mark signals an issue
A Green checkmark indicates the font passes
| Category | What It Checks |
|---|---|
| Missing Fonts | Whether the font is present on the system |
| Unlicensed Fonts | Whether a valid license exists |
| Expiring Licenses | Licenses expiring within 90 days |
| Expired Licenses | Licenses that have already lapsed |
| Overutilized Fonts | Fonts installed beyond the licensed seat count |
| Outdated Format | Use of legacy formats such as PostScript Type 1 |
Details
- Provides specific license term dates for expiring or expired fonts.
Resolution
- For expired licenses, an Update License link is provided. By clicking the link, it takes you directly to the relevant license record in Monotype Connect so you can renew or update terms as needed.
Downloading and Report Views
Downloading a Report
The download report option appears in the upper right corner of the Project Scanning tool once the project has been scanned. Here you can Download the report to use as an instructional advice for changes needing to be made or use the report as a receipt for the finalize project. Each report contains a Project Font Usage Report with all the details outlined above.
The Report Views
Each scanned project can be viewed two different ways. Just below the Download Report button in the upper right corner, you can select the following report views:
- Font Name – The traditional view of the fonts used and if the use has passed or has indicated a risk.
- Risk Criteria – This view shows the criteria areas that are affected – Such as Expired Licenses, Missing, Overutilized, Unlicensed or Outdated Fonts
Keeping Your Scan Results Accurate
The Project Scanner relies on the license information entered in the Licenses tab in Monotype Connect. For the most accurate results, make sure your licenses are up to date.
- How to add font licenses: Adding Font Licenses to Extensis Connect
- Font licensing best practices: Font Licensing Compliance Best Practices
Don't Have License Data Entered Yet?
The Project Scanner is still useful even without license information in Monotype Connect. Scan results will show where each font is sourced from (aka Library), which can help you confirm that the right fonts are being used for the right projects.
- Font organization best practices for brands and agencies: Font Organization Best Practices