Planning Analytics

This sounds like a font-rendering change rather than an issue with the PAW dashboards themselves, especially since it happens across browsers and environments. I’d check whether Windows recently changed its font rendering or ClearType settings, and also verify that the correct IBM Plex Bold/SemiBold font file is actually being loaded rather than a substituted or synthetic bold. Comparing the affected stylish fonts with a font preview tool could also help identify whether the problem is specific to the Bold weight.

It sounds like the issue could be related to how the IBM Plex font is being rendered rather than the PAW dashboards themselves, especially since you're seeing it across browsers and environments. I’d check the installed font files, Windows font updates, and whether the bold weight is being substituted or rendered differently. A stylish font generator can also be useful for testing how different font weights and styles render across systems.

This looks very similar to an issue already reported in the IBM Planning Analytics community in July 2025:

“Bold Fonts are fuzzy in PAW 105”
https://community.ibm.com/community/user/discussion/bold-fonts-are-fuzzy-in-paw-105

Several users described a very similar pattern: bold text in PAW buttons and text boxes suddenly appeared darker, fuzzy and more rounded. The reports covered different PAW versions, and the behavior was seen across Chromium-based browsers. Arden Miller also opened IBM Support ticket TS019847865 and reported a connection with Windows updates in their environment.

So I would not start by assuming that the dashboards themselves were redesigned or that the IBM Plex font files are necessarily wrong. The books can still request the same Bold weight while the way that weight is rendered on the client changes.

There is also some history of IBM Plex / Chromium / Windows font-weight issues, although the older IBM Plex issue is not necessarily the same defect.

Based on the public information, the interesting points are:

• similar visual change affecting Bold text in PAW text boxes and buttons
• reports across different PAW versions
• reports involving different browsers
• a reported timing relationship with Windows / browser updates
• a concrete IBM Support case: TS019847865

What I have not found publicly is an APAR that maps TS019847865 to a specific PAW, browser, or Windows fix. I therefore would not assume that the dashboards need to be changed.

Before redesigning anything, I would check whether the same book renders differently on another client and, using the browser developer tools, which actual font face is being rendered for the Bold text.

It would be particularly useful if someone from IBM could confirm whether TS019847865 was fixed or worked around in a particular PAW, Chromium/browser, or Windows version. That would help determine whether this is a dashboard configuration issue or primarily a client-side font-rendering issue.

Could you clarify if this is affecting on just your machine or it is broader impact for all the users involved?  You suspected a windows update a likely cause. Do you know if others who are seeing this issue also had Win updates on their laptop?

Few things worth checking:

1. If it is just with your laptop with issues, any possibility of testing it from a different laptop with your id to see if this repeats?
2. On your laptop C:\Windows\Fonts or in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts, do you see IBM Plex font(s)? Try removing and reinstalling them.
3. I'd also see "Inspect" (right click on the item and choose Inspect) to see if it reveals the font that is being rendered.

HTH.