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How to Increase Comment Font Size in Microsoft Word 2016
Question details
The user needs to increase the size of comment text in Microsoft Word 2016 because the comments appear too small to read.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing, editing, or printing a document containing comments that are displaying incorrectly.
- Observed behavior
- Comments are displayed in a tiny font size. This issue may persist even after modifying the Comment Text or Balloon Text styles, and it can affect both on-screen display and PDF or printed outputs.
Check your document's zoom level at the bottom right of the Word window to ensure you haven't simply zoomed out too far, which naturally shrinks the entire document including the comment balloons.
Modify Balloon Text and Comment Text Styles
Adjusting the default styles specifically assigned to comments is the standard way to fix tiny comment fonts in Word.
Word uses specific hidden styles to format comments. You must modify both the 'Balloon Text' and 'Comment Text' styles to ensure the font size updates properly.
Go to the Home tab and click the small diagonal arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the Styles group (or press Alt+Ctrl+Shift+S) to open the Styles pane.
At the bottom of the Styles pane, click the 'Manage Styles' button (the third icon from the left, which looks like an A with a checkmark).
In the Edit tab, scroll alphabetically to find 'Balloon Text'. Select it, click 'Modify', change the font size to your desired readable size (e.g., 10 or 12), and click OK.
Repeat the previous step to locate and modify the 'Comment Text' style, applying the exact same font size.
Use the Reviewing Pane to Read Comments
If comment balloons remain stubbornly small in the margins, the Reviewing Pane offers a clearer alternative view.
Test with a Different Font
If the document displays correctly on other computers, the specific font file installed on your device might be corrupted.
View and Format Comments Clearly in WPS Writer
Avoid display bugs and tiny comment boxes by using WPS Writer. It seamlessly handles Microsoft Word documents and provides a clean, easy-to-read commenting interface without the need to modify complex hidden styles.
- 1. Open Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document containing the comments.
- 2. Go to the Review Tab: Navigate to the Review tab on the main top ribbon.
- 3. Manage Comments: Click the Comments button. The comments will appear clearly on the right-hand margin in a modern, easy-to-read font size.
- 4. Edit Seamlessly: Click directly inside any comment box to edit, reply, or resolve without dealing with legacy formatting bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word comments suddenly become tiny?
This usually happens due to a glitch in the 'Balloon Text' or 'Comment Text' style configurations, a corrupted font file on your local machine, or accidentally changing the document's zoom level.
Does changing the comment font size affect printing?
Yes, if you properly modify the Balloon Text and Comment Text styles in the Manage Styles menu, the updated font size will be applied to the printed document and exported PDFs.
How do I print a Word document without the comments?
Go to File > Print. Under Settings, click the first drop-down menu (usually saying 'Print All Pages') and uncheck 'Print Markup'. This will hide comments and tracked changes in your final printout.
Where do I find the Balloon Text style in Word?
Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S to open the Styles pane, click the 'Manage Styles' icon at the bottom of the pane, and scroll through the alphabetical list in the Edit tab to find 'Balloon Text'.
