When you ’re on the other side of 50 , as I am , you become less concerned about how tight your Mac is , and more concerned in how well you’re able to see the text it display . Whether your eyes are age , your young eye need glasses , or someone that you furnish computer support for could use a boost in catch the screenland , no one should have to squinch when surf the vane , read electronic mail , or spell documents . A few fundamental technique can increase the font size in applications where gentle - to - see text attain the adult difference .
Bigger fonts and word processing
Most applications that allow you compile textual matter also let you adjust the font sizing . If you ’re using a word processor such as Apple’sPagesor Microsoft’sWord , or a text edition editor such as Apple ’s built - in TextEdit , you have legion baptistry and size options . It ’s a skilful melodic theme to increase your font size by a few point if you use corrective lenses ; even if the font look all right on , you might not realize that you ’re squint .
In Apple apps such as Pages and TextEdit , pressing Command - T play up a Fonts board . word of honor and other text - backbreaking programs have a consecrated Font or Format menu . ( In Word , chooseFormat > Font . ) There , you’re able to choose the font and size of it that you happen most prosperous to lick with .
More decipherable by nonpayment : If you ’d rather not shrink from with font sizing over and over , change your nonremittal . For example , in Word , correct your setting in the Font windowpane and then click theDefaultbutton at the bottom . In TextEdit , chooseTextEdit > Preferencesand then tweak thePlain school text fontandRich text fontsettings .
Bigger fonts and browsing the Web
Many apps use the bid - plus ( + ) shortcut to increase font size of it . For example , if you practice Apple ’s Safari or Mozilla ’s Firefox as your internet browser , you may press that keyboard shortcut — or chooseView > Zoom In — at any meter . If the fonts are too big on sure Page , bidding - subtraction ( − ) makes them one notch smaller . Many other apps that display text apply the Command - plus shortcut as well , so try it if you ever need to make text bigger in a picky applications programme .
Safari background : As an alternative overture in Safari , go toSafari > Preferencesand click theAdvancedtab . Under ‘ Accessibility ’ , selectNever use font size belittled thanand adjust the font size to a comfortable level .
Trackpad tips : In Safari , you’re able to also soar in to increase the size of the full varlet . If you use a trackpad , you could pinch out to zoom along in , and pinch in to zoom along back out . This works in some other apps as well . ( If it does n’t work for you , checkZoom In or Outin the Scroll & Zoom section of System Preferences ’ Trackpad pane . ) you’re able to also replicate - dab with two fingerbreadth to get a quick zoom in Safari ; double - tapping again zooms out . ( This setting is also in the Trackpad predilection pane . )
Bigger fonts in the Finder
To make it easier to see booklet and file away name in Finder windows , press Command - J , or chooseView > Show View Options , when a Finder window is visible . SelectText Size , and you ’ll get a popup bill of fare that let you choose a font size of it of from 10 gunpoint to 16 points . ClickUse as Defaultsto apply this new font size to all windows in the current view . You ’ll have to make this alteration for each dissimilar Finder view you use ( Icon , List , Column , and/or Cover Flow ) that you require it to hold to . ( See “ Get the most out of Finder views ” for tips . )
Easy-to-see sidebars
Sidebars are important because they give you a list of particular that you may want to employ often , such as pamphlet in the Finder .
iTunes and iPhoto : In iTunes and iPhoto , go into the programme ’ preferences to change sidebar textbook size . In iTunes ’ General preferences , selectUse large text for list opinion . And in iPhoto ’s Appearance preferences , chooseSource Text > Large . ( The two iPhoto schoolbook pick available are ‘ declamatory ’ and ‘ Small ’ , though I ’d call them ‘ Medium ’ and ‘ lilliputian ’ . )
The Finder : To change the size of items in the Finder ’s sidebar , openSystem Preferences , and then come home theGeneralicon . In the ‘ Sidebar image sizing ’ setting , you’re able to take ‘ Small ’ , ‘ culture medium ’ , or ‘ expectant ’ . This setting bear upon not only the Finder ’s icons , but also the size of it of the associated text . Curiously , though this setting change the same items in the sidebar in Apple ’s post , it does n’t involve other Apple apps .
Bigger fonts in Mail and Messages
Other apps offer font and size preferences too . Apple ’s Mail has a plenty of option in its Fonts & Colors preference dot ( Mail > Preferences > Fonts & Colors ) . you’re able to opt a different font and size of it for the substance list , and for messages , as well as for any fixed - breadth text .
Apple ’s Messages lets you change the font and size for incoming and forthcoming substance independently . Go toMessages > Preferences , clickMessages , and then click theSet Fontbutton next to each of the two background color section .
Zoom everything
In System Preferences ’ Accessibility dose , you’re able to call on on zooming that affects your total display . Click theZoomicon in the sidebar of that preference pane , and check either or bothUse keyboard shortcuts to zoomandUse roll gesture with modifier keys to whizz . I often apply the scrolling option — which , on a trackpad , is a two - finger puff — to get a closer feel at things that I ca n’t whizz along any other way , such as text in graphics on webpages .
Finally , if you have a Mac that allow you to transfer the display answer , you might require to go that route . The Displays preference dot of System Preferences countenance you surmount your video display . judge it and see if you could see enough on your screen after magnifying its exfoliation . This adjustment change the act of pixels on the blind and , therefore , the size of text in the menubar , menu item , and so on .
Although font size of it configurations are set to certain apps , it ’s good to know where you may make this change . prepare up your most - used apps appropriately , and your center will give thanks you for construct them solve a minute less .
