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How to Apply Small Caps in Word for the Web
Question details
The user needs to apply small caps formatting to text in Word for the web, but the option is missing from the font controls.
- Product
- Word for the web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting text in an online document
- Observed behavior
- The Small Caps formatting option is unavailable in the font interface of Word for the web, preventing direct application of the style.
Ensure you have the desktop version of Microsoft Word installed on your computer, as you will need to open the document there to apply this specific formatting.
Apply Small Caps via the Desktop Application
Since Word for the web does not natively support applying small caps, you must apply the formatting in the desktop app and sync it back.
Word for the web is fully capable of displaying small caps formatting, but it lacks the interface buttons to apply it. Switching to the desktop application is the most efficient and accurate workaround.
While viewing your document in Word for the web, click on the 'Editing' or 'Viewing' menu at the top of the screen and select 'Open in Desktop App' to launch the desktop version of Word.
Highlight the specific text you wish to format as small caps.
Press the keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl + Shift + K'. Alternatively, open the Font dialog box (Ctrl + D) and check the 'Small caps' box under Effects.
Save your document in the desktop app. When you switch back to Word for the web and refresh the page, the small caps formatting will be visible.
Manually Change Letter Case and Size
If you do not have access to the desktop version of Word, you can manually adjust the text size as a visual workaround.
Use WPS Writer to Apply Small Caps Directly
Unlike limited web-based tools, WPS Office provides a fully featured, lightweight desktop experience for free. You can easily access advanced typography controls like Small Caps without needing to switch between different app versions.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file.
- 2. Select the text: Highlight the specific text you want to format as small caps.
- 3. Open Font dialog: Right-click the selected text and choose 'Font', or press the shortcut Ctrl + D.
- 4. Apply Small Caps: In the Effects section of the Font dialog box, check the 'Small caps' option and click OK to apply the formatting instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the small caps option missing in Word for the web?
Word for the web is a streamlined version of the desktop application designed primarily for quick edits, basic formatting, and online collaboration. Advanced typography features, including small caps, are intentionally excluded to keep the web interface fast and lightweight.
Will small caps applied in the desktop app show up in a PDF exported from Word for the web?
Yes. Once the formatting is applied via the desktop application, the small caps style is preserved in the underlying document structure. It will render correctly if you decide to print or export the file to PDF from Word for the web.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for small caps in Word for the web?
No, the traditional Ctrl+Shift+K keyboard shortcut only works in the desktop version of Word. Pressing this combination in Word for the web will not apply the formatting.
