diff --git a/src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xssf/usermodel/XSSFFont.java b/src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xssf/usermodel/XSSFFont.java
index 55cec36d3..123200c2b 100644
--- a/src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xssf/usermodel/XSSFFont.java
+++ b/src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xssf/usermodel/XSSFFont.java
@@ -543,9 +543,8 @@ public class XSSFFont implements Font {
      */
     public long registerTo(StylesTable styles) {
         this._themes = styles.getTheme();
-        short idx = (short)styles.putFont(this, true);
-        this._index = idx;
-        return idx;
+        this._index = styles.putFont(this, true);
+        return this._index;
     }
     /**
      * Records the Themes Table that is associated with