How to Change the Font Size of Word Comment Balloon Text on Mac
Question details
The user wants to adjust the font size of comment balloons in Microsoft Word on a Mac, as they might appear in an unexpected size or font.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Reviewing and editing documents using tracked changes and comments.
- Observed behavior
- Comment balloons display text in a font size that is either too small or difficult to read, and standard formatting options do not seem to alter their appearance directly.
Ensure your document is not restricted from editing and note whether you have Word's 'Modern Comments' feature enabled, as this dictates how style changes appear on your screen.
Modify the Balloon Text and Comment Text Styles
Update Word's built-in document styles to change how comment balloons appear and print.
Microsoft Word controls the appearance of comments through specific built-in styles called 'Balloon Text' and 'Comment Text'. Modifying these baseline styles will adjust the font size for your document markup.
Please note that if you have the newer 'Modern Comments' interface enabled in Word for Mac, on-screen comments may not reflect these custom style changes. However, the modified formatting will still correctly apply when the document is printed or saved as a PDF.
Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the Word ribbon and click the 'Styles Pane' button on the far right to open the list of document styles.
In the Styles Pane, find 'Balloon Text'. If it is not visible, click the 'List' drop-down at the bottom of the pane and select 'All Styles'.
Hover over the 'Balloon Text' style, click the drop-down arrow next to it, and select 'Modify Style' from the context menu.
In the Modify Style dialog box, click on 'Format' in the bottom-left corner, select 'Font', and choose your preferred font and size. Click 'OK' to apply the changes.
Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the style named 'Comment Text' to ensure all your comment formatting remains consistent.
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Frustrated by Microsoft Word's complicated style settings and unchangeable Modern Comments on Mac? Switch to WPS Office. It provides an intuitive interface for document reviewing and commenting, while maintaining strict compatibility with all Microsoft Office file formats.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office installation package for Mac from the official website and install it.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx document directly without losing any layout.
- 3. Manage Comments Effortlessly: Navigate to the 'Review' tab to easily insert, format, and view comments with a straightforward interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren't my comment font sizes changing on the screen in Word for Mac?
If you are using newer versions of Microsoft Word with the 'Modern Comments' feature enabled, the application forces a standard on-screen format that overrides your custom styles. However, your selected 'Balloon Text' and 'Comment Text' styles will still be applied when you print the document.
Can I turn off Modern Comments in Word for Mac to see my font size changes?
Yes. You can disable Modern Comments by going to the top menu bar, selecting Word > Preferences > General, and unchecking 'Enable modern comments'. You must restart Word for the classic comments interface to take effect and display your custom font sizes.
Where do I find the 'Comment Text' style in Word for Mac if it is hidden?
Open the Styles Pane from the Home tab. If 'Comment Text' or 'Balloon Text' isn't visible, click the 'List' drop-down menu at the bottom of the Styles Pane and change the view from 'Recommended' or 'In Current Document' to 'All Styles'.
