Adjust Font & Text Size

Based on Stephen Poley's "Web Matters" page:
"Adjust Your Text Size"

Well-designed web sites use the font and text size defined in your browser. This means you can set the font and text size to whatever suits you best. This is very easy in most browsers. Once you have done it for this web site, it will work for any other well designed sites that you visit.

This page explains how to do it.

By the way, if you come across a site which ignores your browser settings, and this makes it difficult for you, complain to the owner/webmaster of the site. I do.

Browsers covered on this page:

• Internet Explorer
• Netscape and Mozilla
• Opera
• Mozilla Firebird

Internet Explorer

To adjust the font:

1. Select the “Tools” menu
2. Select “Internet Options”
3. Select the “General” tab
4. Select the “Fonts” button
5. Select the font you want to see
6. Select the “OK” button
7. Select the “OK” button.

To adjust the text size:

1. Select the “View” Menu
2. Select “Text Size”
3. Select the size you want to use. (The dot shows the current size.)

You can also adjust the text size quickly by holding the Ctrl key down and moving the mouse wheel.

Netscape and Mozilla

1. Select the “Edit” menu
2. Select “Preferences”
3. Select “Appearance”
4. Select “Fonts”
5. Select the fonts and size you want (the one marked ‘variable width’ or ‘proportional’ is the most important one)
6. Select the “OK” button.

In Mozilla you can also zoom the text size in and out by using [Ctrl +] and [Ctrl -].

Opera

1. Select the “File” menu
2. Select “Preferences”
3. Select “Fonts and Colors” in the left panel
4. Select “Normal” in the right panel (it is probably already selected)
5. Select the “Choose” button
6. Select the font and size you want
7. Select the “OK” button (or the Enter key)
8. Select the “OK” button (or Cancel, if you’ve suddenly got cold feet)!

In Opera you can also zoom in and out on a page, if you have a mouse with a wheel: hold the Ctrl key down, and move the mouse wheel up or down. Or use the ‘+’ and ‘-’ keys on the numeric keypad, and ‘6’ to return to 100%.

Mozilla Firebird & Firefox

This works the same way as Mozilla, but you can also zoom in and out by holding the Ctrl key down and moving the mouse wheel.