Changing Font Size in DefaultFonts.plist in Notes Application Isn't Working

Question

Changing Font Size in DefaultFonts.plist in Notes Application Isn't Working

Hi there,

I am trying to adjust my Notes settings so that the default font size is larger when I create a new note.

I tried the following steps, and I haven't noticed the desired effect:

Disabled System Integrity Protection
Notes app is closed
Went to Applications⁩ ▸ ⁨Notes.app⁩ ▸ ⁨Contents⁩ ▸ ⁨Resources⁩ ▸ ⁨en.lproj⁩
Opened DefaultFonts.plist
Started editing DefaultFonts.plist within TextEditor
Prompted to create Duplicate
Created duplicate of DefaultFonts.plist on Desktop
Edited font size to 15 for each of the three settings within DefaultFonts.plist in TextEditor
Saved the duplicate as DefaultFonts.plist instead of using a the suggested .txt extension
Replaced DefaultFonts.plist in Applications⁩ ▸ ⁨Notes.app⁩ ▸ ⁨Contents⁩ ▸ ⁨Resources⁩ ▸ ⁨en.lproj⁩ with the file that I just edited and renamed DefaultFonts.plist
Opened Notes, tried creating a new note, and no effects
Tried restarting Mac, but still no effects

Two screenshots of the two separate DefaultFonts.plist file changes I tried are below.

Any helpful insight here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Jun 23, 2019 2:09 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Driftin

Level 1

44 points

Jun 24, 2019 7:31 PM in response to duttarightthing

You don't have to do that, you can change font size to default by:

Go to Notes.app and press cmd + , (command + comma)
At near bottom of preferences, find Default text size, and slide the slider for desired font size.
Quit preferences, it will auto-save.

(don't think too complex, I still understand what are you doing)

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Answer 2

Driftin

Level 1

44 points

Jun 24, 2019 8:50 PM in response to duttarightthing

Your picture is the SAME, by the way...

I think you haven't SAVE your plist, but I use terminal for "no unexpected changes from apps":

type sudo nano <whole file's path>, this will open nano editor
Change font's size, type bold or so on
Save by press control-x , then press y

or read https://www.techjunkie.com/how-to-change-the-default-fonts-text-size-in-os-xs-notes-app/

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Answer 3

Jun 24, 2019 7:51 PM in response to Driftin

Hi there. Thanks for your reply.

I tried what you suggested a while back, but it doesn't allow me to set the default text size to a larger font (like 15) even if I set the slider to the largest size.

That's why I went with trying to edit DefaultFonts.plist, which is supposed to allow you to set the default text size in a new note to whatever size you want.

However, despite editing DefaultFonts.plist, the default text size when I create a new note is no different compared to the default settings that Notes comes with.

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Answer 4

Jun 24, 2019 9:10 PM in response to Driftin

Hi there. Thanks for your follow-up.

The two pictures are slightly different, and I tried both of them. The first one you'll notice I entered 15 after <key> for each of the three settings; I left it as it was (Size) for the one below it. Both of these didn't result in the desired change.

I've tried editing DefaultFonts.plist the way that you suggested through Terminal also with no success. I used the same article that you shared.

So, I'm unsure why the change to DefaultFonts.plist isn't resulting in new notes starting off with the text size that I changed it to in DefaultFonts.plist.

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Answer 5

Driftin

Level 1

44 points

Jun 25, 2019 6:34 AM in response to duttarightthing

I think both 15 are "classes", one of which affect the UI of the whole Notes, so try that again, or/and restart your computer.

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Answer 6

Jun 25, 2019 12:11 PM in response to Driftin

Okay. I will try putting 15 in both areas and restarting. I'll reply back to you with what occurs. Thanks again.

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Changing Font Size in DefaultFonts.plist in Notes Application Isn't Working

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