Font Size in Apple Mail Program

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Level 1

19 points

Font Size in Apple Mail Program

Don't know if this is a bug, but there doesn't appear to be a way to change the default size of email messages, that is, the message body. When I go into Fonts & Color under preferences, and select Message Font, and change the message font size, all that changes is the size of the Message header, that is, the From, Subject, Date, and To fields. I want to actually make ALL MESSAGES, by default, much larger. Each time I open a message, I have to Press the Apple/Command Key and Equal key, to make the message body larger. Is this a bug with Apple Mail, or is there a way to fix this? Thanks. David

Message was edited by: David Lyell

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Apr 4, 2011 8:46 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,940 points

Apr 4, 2011 9:09 AM in response to David Lyell

I am only on 10.6.6, but my email body font size changes immediately if I change the setting for Message Font (or for Fixed Width Font, if I have that box checked).

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Answer 2

Apr 4, 2011 12:05 PM in response to David Lyell

The *Message font* is actually just a default message font. If font size and other attributes are specified in an HTML message, they take precedence. You can set minimum HTML font size this way via Terminal. That will apply to all HTML messages.

Also make sure that you either disable the *Use fixed-witdth font for plain text messages* or adjust the *Fixed-width font* size as well (both options are in Mail's Fonts & Colors preferences).

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Answer 3

David Lyell Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 4, 2011 2:00 PM in response to Adam Nohejl

I tried the terminal solution, and the problem still exists. It fixed a few of the messages, but most are still very small. Any other suggestions, please?

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Answer 4

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,940 points

Apr 4, 2011 2:07 PM in response to David Lyell

but most are still very small. Any other suggestions, please?

Could you send a screenshot of one of those messages, along with your settings for message font size and fixed-width font size (tom at bluesky dot org)?

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Answer 5

ShaJen

Level 1

0 points

Apr 9, 2011 7:17 AM in response to David Lyell

There's a new app to fix this.
You can get the information at http://messagefont.com

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Answer 6

Apr 9, 2011 9:24 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Tom,

I don't find any difference in 10.6.7 -- it works.

Ernie

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Answer 7

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,940 points

Apr 9, 2011 9:36 AM in response to ShaJen

There's a new app to fix this.
You can get the information at http://messagefont.com

That is a fix for a totally different problem, namely how to ensure the recipient sees the font you want it to in your outgoing messages. As such it is very interesting, but I think the OP just wants to read his incoming mail in a bigger font.

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Answer 8

simarron

Level 1

0 points

Sep 8, 2012 7:38 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

I think you're right. I also face the same problem. I want my reciepient to view my email as time new roman 12, but this format is too small on mail for myself to type and see. Is there any way to fix this. Thanks in advance.

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Answer 9

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,940 points

Sep 9, 2012 3:30 AM in response to simarron

simarron wrote:

I think you're right. I also face the same problem. I want my reciepient to view my email as time new roman 12, but this format is too small on mail for myself to type and see. Is there any way to fix this. Thanks in advance.

You set the font size in Mail preferences to suit your own needs. That does not affect what the recipient sees. To do that you have to select your text in the New Message pane and reset the font to TNR 12, if that is what you want to go out.

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Answer 10

Jan 19, 2016 3:28 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Why do you want to dictate font size to your recipient. Unless you know the hardware that the recipient has, and the condition of their eye-sight, you should let the recipient choose a font size. For me, when I receive HTML messages, the font is ALWAYS too small. Please just use plain text until somebody creates an HTML editor that leaves font size unspecified.

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Answer 11

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,940 points

Jan 19, 2016 5:42 AM in response to IanEiloart

IanEiloart wrote:

Why do you want to dictate font size to your recipient.

I don't. And Apple too is on your side, since they make it impossible for Senders to set a default font size. But many users are required by the policies of their organizations to used standardized fonts and sizes in their communications.

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