Outlook 2013 Font Size in Preview Pane

SJMP wrote:

Yeah resolution looks like the only potential work-around. Will see if that helps. Our end-user has eye problems so that might be a good permanent fix. At least something to experiment with and see if workable.

The MacAir is unsuitable for those with hard of seeing issues.

A big screen is needed where OS X can be scaled up and made to appear larger, thus everyting can fit on the screen, but again OS X gets blurry as the resolution is dropped.

Apple for some reason or another doesn't want to provide a scalable OS X version, rather prefering to cater to the market of the younger crowd with good eyes who sit a few inches from the screen.

All I can suggest is take the MacAir back and either get a MacBook Pro + a larger screen and install Windows 7 into BootCamp or buy a large screen Windows 7 or Windows 8 Pro PC which can be downgraded to Windows 7.

Then in Windows Control Panel areas are options to increase the size of Windows about 150% so it's easier to see, if this is done on a small screen computer it hides parts of the UI and buttons and things, so a larger screen is needed, perferably a 17" or larger.

I have a option here for easier web surfing using a tweaked Firefox, but nothing else pernament for OS X I'm afraid.

Web browsing for hard of seeing users

There is the option in System Preferences > Accessbility to set a Control key Zoom with say a mouse scroll wheel that can zoom in/out where the pointer is located on the screen.

This is how I'm getting by, but then I do have a 17" screen.

Good Luck 🙂

SJMP wrote:

Or how about a 27" Mac 🙂

The laptop is for travel. And since this is the lightest, most robust machine we could get on the market. We wanted to give it a shot.

That kills the external monitor idea then, the user probably won't appreciate lugging a 27" iMac around either.

Magnifying glass maybe 😉

Seriously though why not give the native applications a go (Mail, Contacts and Calendar) they may be easier to read than Outlook (on an Air)

Thanks for sharing.

Seriously?

I couldn't believe that you were asking in the Mac forum about a M$ application. Usually when people have problems with MS apps they actually ask in the M$ forums.

SJMP wrote:

Apple sold me the product.

Apple sold you the machine and the operating system, the program your using is Microsoft's, so actually you should be asking them and not here.

Since this matter is resolved as we can't help you or did what we could, I guess we will be moving on then.

At least I will anyway.... Netflix is back up, wonder what's on. 🙂

Hi SJMP,

have you found an answer? To increase the size of the messages in the preview pane of outlook (the way it is displayed) and make it easier to read, even on the MacBook Air is to use the the combination of the keys: cmd & + to increase and cmd & - to decrease.

What I have not figured out is why this does not work for the writing pane, when you compose a new email. Unfortunately is only increases in size if you change the composing font size which is rubbish, because no one wants to receive an email in a font size larger than 14 (there are folks who like to print out stuff, believe it or not and 12 point seems to be the preferred size, whilst most companies use 10).

I hope this helped and even though this took a while should be the answer to your question. If you want to increase the display size of the items in the inbox, this can be set in the preferences. It is hidden in the Fonts section and at the bottom Item Lists (three choices) select small, medium or large. I use medium, even on my 27' iMac.

Good Luck,

Dan

SJMP, not sure if you are still looking for an answer, but try going to Outlook > Preferences > Fonts. In the bottom left corner of that window there should be an option to select the item list size. This will adjust the text size in the message list.

Found this thread because I'm having the same issue with Outlook for Mac 2015... Just spent 2 hours on the phone with Microsoft and got nowhere (surprise, surprise).

hi, your solution is working for me at Outlook 2011. but how can i make large font for the panels and the programme itself?

pls advice

thanks

You can't change those in Office. The only way to make them larger otherwise is to use a lower monitor resolution, which will increase the size of everything.

this was super helpful.. i tried and searched and couldn't find the answer until i found your post and read that what i am looking for is impossible....

thank you ...:)