How do I set a backup font in case the set font doesn't include a certain Unicode character?

[xuhdev]

I currently use Inconsolata as the font:

   dotspacemacs-default-font '("Inconsolata"
                               :size 15.5
                               :weight normal
                               :width normal)

However, Inconsolata (like Source Code Pro) doesn't include some Unicode characters (e.g., →, ←) and it seems to fall back to something not monospaced. How can I set up a backup font for those characters?

[fnussbaum]

On my system, Inconsolata includes both arrows → and ←. I guess customizing face-font-family-alternatives to include an entry ("Inconsolata" "Monospace") might work. But I would be interested to know other specific characters where this problem occurs such that I can try and reproduce it. Setting fonts for certain character sets should also be possible, see for example this blog post.

[xuhdev]

@fnussbaum Turned out I already have "Monospace" in face-font-family-alternatives.

It also turns out my Inconsolata also includes →, but Emacs displays it non-monospaced. Do you see a similar effects in your Emacs?

[fnussbaum]

For me, it looks like this

(which correctly uses the monospaced Inconsolata arrows). I'm not sure why the arrows use a different font on your system. I get a different non-monospaced font only for long arrows ⟶.

[xuhdev]

Not sure why, I eventually fixed this by installing the Inconsolata font from Nerd Font. The font name must also be changed to Inconsolata Nerd Font Mono.