ksb82

Q: Increase or change font size in Mail for easier reading?

I sometimes have tired eyes and want to increase the appearance of the font size (similar to the pinch gesture in safari) but can't find a way to do that. Is there a way to make it more readable for people with weak or tired eyes?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 29, 2012 9:09 AM

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Q: Increase or change font size in Mail for easier reading?

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  • by ~Bee,

    ~Bee ~Bee Dec 29, 2012 9:31 AM in response to ksb82
    Level 7 (31,802 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 29, 2012 9:31 AM in response to ksb82

    In Mail Preferences, increase font size here, using the "Select" button:

     

    Screen Shot 2012-12-29 at 12.29.10 PM.png

  • by ksb82,

    ksb82 ksb82 Dec 30, 2012 11:12 AM in response to ~Bee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 11:12 AM in response to ~Bee

    Thank you, I did notice that worked for the size of the selected message. However, it doesn't change the font size of the other things in mail, and it doesn't affect the font size for composing messages.

     

    I know that you can change the font size within an outgoing message as you compose it, but I only want the font size changed for my sake as I read the message, I don't want to actually change the font of the outgoing message.

     

    Any thoughts about increasing the overall font size? I'm looking for something similar to the pinch gesture in safari.

  • by ~Bee,

    ~Bee ~Bee Dec 30, 2012 3:02 PM in response to ksb82
    Level 7 (31,802 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 30, 2012 3:02 PM in response to ksb82

    Would this help?

     

    While reading the message, click somewhere in the email, and then click the Apple/Command key with the plus

    ( + ) sign.

  • by R-A-Robin,

    R-A-Robin R-A-Robin Dec 30, 2012 3:05 PM in response to ksb82
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 3:05 PM in response to ksb82

    Try Command and the "+" key, hold Command down and tape "+" till you get the size you like, works for me.

  • by CMCSK,Helpful

    CMCSK CMCSK Dec 30, 2012 3:32 PM in response to ksb82
    Level 6 (10,875 points)
    Dec 30, 2012 3:32 PM in response to ksb82

    seasons6.gif

     

     

     

     

    I have the same "complaint" about Mail.  For a number of years now, I have used Thunderbird.  At least with that email program, you can control the font size.  Works perfectly for my eyes.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    dancingsmilie.gif

  • by ksb82,

    ksb82 ksb82 Dec 31, 2012 6:13 AM in response to ~Bee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 31, 2012 6:13 AM in response to ~Bee

    I did notice that works in other applications but in mail it will only increase the font size of the message you're reading. It won't increase the font size of anything else in mail - e.g, the two columns to the left of the message you're reading. It also won't increase the font size of a message you're composing. Unfortunately, those are the things I most need to focus on. Thank you for your help so far - if you have any other ideas, let me know!

  • by ~Bee,

    ~Bee ~Bee Dec 31, 2012 12:08 PM in response to ksb82
    Level 7 (31,802 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 31, 2012 12:08 PM in response to ksb82

    ksb82--

     

    Yes, the Messagre List Font, chooses the font, & increases/decreases the size of the List of Emails.

    The 2nd one (Message Font) Chooses the font, & manages the size of the font in the actual Emails. 

    The two boxes are different. 

    To make changes, you have to choose the "Select" box, where you have a long font list, and list of sizes.

    In Mail Preferenes > Composing, I'm using Plain Test.

     

    As for increasing the font in the MAILBOX  column on the left, I haven't figured that out yet.

  • by CarNavar,

    CarNavar CarNavar Mar 8, 2013 11:38 AM in response to ~Bee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 8, 2013 11:38 AM in response to ~Bee

    THANK YOU BEE! The tiny text size in the composition windows has been the bain of my existence for two years now. Solved my problem.

  • by ~Bee,

    ~Bee ~Bee Mar 8, 2013 2:30 PM in response to CarNavar
    Level 7 (31,802 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 8, 2013 2:30 PM in response to CarNavar

    Car --

     

    Thanks so much for letting us know!

    I'm very happy it has helped you!

     

  • by mmelahouris,

    mmelahouris mmelahouris Jul 6, 2013 7:25 PM in response to ~Bee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 6, 2013 7:25 PM in response to ~Bee

    Not sure if it's just me but Command + doesn't work. Shift Command + does though.

  • by Mish2012,

    Mish2012 Mish2012 Oct 28, 2013 5:02 PM in response to ksb82
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 5:02 PM in response to ksb82

    I am perplexed as to why when I go to send an E-mail and am composing it, I cannot use the command + sequence, like one can when reading an E-mail, to increase the font size on the screen (but not in the message).  This is a significant problem for those of us who are older and whose eyes are not as good as they used to be.  Apple- is this not something basic you can fix?  You will please a lot of older folks who otherwise like to use high resolution monitors.

     

    If anyone knows a fix, love to hear it.

     

    Thank you

  • by karolewithak,

    karolewithak karolewithak Sep 20, 2014 5:59 AM in response to ~Bee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 20, 2014 5:59 AM in response to ~Bee

    Hi, Bee.  I'm having the same problem as well.  I used your solution, and does seem to have made a permanent change in the font size for outgoing mail, but I don't want the recipients to get emails in a size 16 font!  I want to change the size of how I VIEW it, not the actual font size.  Ditto with not having to do the "Command +" thing every time I open an email.  Do you know if Apple has made any improvements to this long-running problem?  Thanks.

  • by PATRICKMELE,

    PATRICKMELE PATRICKMELE Sep 20, 2014 6:13 AM in response to karolewithak
    Level 3 (909 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 20, 2014 6:13 AM in response to karolewithak

    http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11942/thunderbird

    I use this for viewing emails its a small download but makes life much easier for me

  • by PATRICKMELE,

    PATRICKMELE PATRICKMELE Sep 20, 2014 6:15 AM in response to Mish2012
    Level 3 (909 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 20, 2014 6:15 AM in response to Mish2012

    http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11942/thunderbird

    Try this and maybe a big help to you it works wonders for me as a retired a not so computer savi  person, its a small download

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