Introduction

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Adjust font size

The Font dialog box

Use the Font dialog box (found in the Format menu) to change your font, preview it, and adjust its size and style.

The font list

To select a font, you can scroll through the font list. The list shows you all of the fonts that are available on the computer you're using.

You can preview a particular font before you select it for your document. The preview window in the Font dialog box allows you to see what a particular font looks like. Previewing can help you select an appropriate font for your document.

Changing font size

The Font dialog box also allows you to change the size of a font. You can use different font sizes to give emphasis to different parts of your document. Font size is commonly expressed in points. Font sizes range from 8 point (extremely small) to 72 point (extremely large).

Arial 10 Point

Arial 12 Point

Arial 20 Point

Arial 26 Point

The standard font size for most documents is 12 point. You can preview different font sizes in the preview window in the Font dialog box.

To change font and font size:

• Choose FormatFont. The Font dialog box appears.
• Click a font from the font list.
• Select a size from the font size list.
• Look at the text in the preview window as you try different sizes.

The Formatting toolbar

The most commonly used font tools (except for preview) are available on the Formatting toolbar. The Formatting toolbar allows you to change font name, font size, and font style.

Although different and unusual fonts can give a document a unique and personal feel, each business has different fonts that are preferred for official correspondence. It is always wise to ask what typefaces or fonts are most commonly used in your workplace.

Challenge!

Experiment with fonts by doing the following:

• Select the Font dialog box from the Format menu.
• Preview the various fonts, styles, and sizes available in Word.
• Select several font size and style combinations. After you make your selection, click OK.