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How to Fix Oversized Office Ribbons and File Explorer Menus
Question details
The user needs to fix abnormally large ribbons, sidebars, and menus in Microsoft Office applications and Windows File Explorer.
- Product
- Microsoft Office and Windows
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Using Office applications or File Explorer where UI elements appear unexpectedly magnified.
- Observed behavior
- Ribbons, sidebars, menus, item lists, and File Explorer controls are oversized and out of proportion compared to normal display settings.
Verify if the oversized UI issue affects all applications on your computer (indicating a Windows setting) or is limited only to Microsoft Office.
Adjust Windows Display Scaling Settings
Use this solution if both Microsoft Office and Windows File Explorer are displaying oversized UI elements, as it indicates a system-wide scaling configuration.
Windows allows you to scale up text and UI elements to make them easier to read. However, if this setting is set too high, applications will appear unusually large.
Right-click on an empty space on your Windows Desktop and select 'Display settings' from the context menu.
Scroll down to the 'Scale and layout' section. Under 'Change the size of text, apps, and other items', click the drop-down menu.
Select '100% (Recommended)' or the default percentage for your monitor, then restart your computer to apply the changes across File Explorer and Office.
Reset the Microsoft Word Template (Normal.dotm)
Use this solution if the oversized ribbon and menu issue is exclusively affecting Microsoft Word.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
If multiple Office apps are displaying oversized UI elements and Windows display settings are correct, use this to fix corrupted Office installation files.
Experience a Bug-Free, Lightweight Interface with WPS Office
Tired of dealing with corrupted Microsoft Office templates or broken ribbons? Switch to WPS Office. It provides a clean, perfectly scaled, and highly customizable user interface in a lightweight package that fully supports Microsoft Office formats.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your Windows PC.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the lightweight suite.
- 3. Open Your Files Seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without worrying about layout distortion or oversized ribbons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Office ribbons suddenly huge?
This typically occurs due to accidental changes in Windows display scaling settings, enabling 'Touch/Mouse Mode' optimized for touchscreens in Office, or corrupted template files such as Normal.dotm.
Does changing the Windows display scaling affect all my apps?
Yes, modifying the 'Scale and Layout' settings in Windows Display settings globally adjusts the size of text, application windows, and UI elements across your entire system, including File Explorer and web browsers.
How do I turn off Touch/Mouse Mode in Microsoft Office?
If your ribbon elements are unexpectedly spaced out, Touch Mode might be active. Click the 'Touch/Mouse Mode' icon on your Quick Access Toolbar (at the top left of the Office window) and select 'Mouse' to restore normal sizing.
What should I do if Online Repair for Office is missing?
If the Online Repair option is unavailable in the Control Panel, it might be restricted by an IT administrator. In this case, try manually updating Office through the 'File > Account' menu or resetting the Normal.dotm template.
