Dumb question -- how to increase font size on mac

[nerp]

Got my new 27" iMac yesterday. It's a great machine but the fonts can be tiny at times. In Windows, holding down CTRL and using the scroll wheel is an easy way to increase the font size in any given window (not all windows, just the one you're working in.) On my macbook pro, I like being able to increase the sizes by pinching or spreading my fingers on the touchpad. But my iMac doesn't have a touchpad. I've figured out how to zoom in the screen by holding ctrl or whatnot and sliding on the mouse, but that zooms the entire SCREEN, not the text within a window. I can't for the life of me figure this out. Anyone know?

 

[rdp6]

In Safari, <command><+> takes care of the whole screen

For textedit (and probably all other document generation apps) highlight what you want embiggened and then use the same command. Use minus instead of plus to reduce size.

In safari, <command>-<zero> returns to the original size. This also works in Firefox. On windows machines replace command with ctrl.

 

[nerp]

Again, a dumb question, but you answered. Thanks so much!

 

[Thommo]

Hello to the AnandTech community.

I just found this site when trying to solve a similar problem to the one above except that the "default" font has suddenly shrunk on me. I am aware of the <command> <+ or -> to change the size of Safari pages but it is the size of the toolbar and everything else above the page which is tiny.

I like my Mac but the "help" menu is not much help.

Any help appreciated, thanks Thommo.

 

[TheStu]

Hello to the AndandTech community.

I just found this site when trying to solve a similar problem to the one above except that the "default" font has suddenly shrunk on me. I am aware of the <command> <+ or -> to change the size of Safari pages but it is the size of the toolbar and everything else above the page which is tiny.

I like my Mac but the "help" menu is not much help.

Any help appreciated, thanks Thommo.

Could you give us a screenshot (CMD+Shift+3)? What kind of Mac is it? Any chance you changed the resolution? Installed some sort of third party thing?

 

[Thommo]

Hi Stu. 'Tis a 20" iMac running OS X 10.5.8. I haven't changed my resolution, it has always been on 1680X1050 to the best of my knowledge. I wonder if it has just "annoyed" me today? I regularly zoom in or out to read detail or whole pages. I'd still like it bigger!

I've had a puter for many years now but have become bored with keeping up with new software now and don't play around with things that work. I took the screenshot and heard the "shutter" sound but <command V> doesn't paste it. So another silly question. How?

As you can see you are dealing with a reluctant student. LOL

 

[TheStu]

The screenshot should[/b] be on your desktop, but it also could be in your pictures folder in a folder called screenshots. Yea, it isn't Print Screen unfortunately.

 

[Patranus]

If you want EVERYTHING to be bigger, just lower your resolution.
System Preferences->Displays

 

[Kmax82]

Yea, it isn't Print Screen unfortunately.

To each their own.. I always hated Print Screen, as I had to then paste it into a graphic via Photoshop or some other graphic program. It's nice to be able to just take a snap and know that it's auto saved to my Desktop. ... And if you use Cloud app, it'll auto upload and copy the URL for you.

 

[TheStu]

To each their own.. I always hated Print Screen, as I had to then paste it into a graphic via Photoshop or some other graphic program. It's nice to be able to just take a snap and know that it's auto saved to my Desktop. ... And if you use Cloud app, it'll auto upload and copy the URL for you.

Ooo...

I am torn on it, both screen capture and print screen accomplish the same thing, it all depends on what you want to do with it. If you are putting together a step by step guide on how to do something, then Print Screen would be better, but if you are basically going to be uploading the image straight away, then yea, screen capture is the way to go.