Office Settings & Configuration

How to Increase Ribbon and Toolbar Font Size in Office 2019

Muhammad Talha Oct 16, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to enlarge the text size on the Ribbon and toolbars in Microsoft Office 2019 applications to make the interface easier to read.

How to Increase Ribbon and Toolbar Font Size in Office 2019

Product: Microsoft Office 2019 (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Improving accessibility and visual readability of the Office application interface.
Observed behavior: Office 2019 lacks an independent font-size control slider specifically for the Ribbon, requiring users to rely on system-wide scaling or theme adjustments.

Before you start

Save your work and close all active Microsoft Office applications before adjusting Windows display scaling to ensure the new sizing applies correctly without graphical glitches.

Solution 1Recommended

Increase Windows System Display Scaling

Because Office 2019 does not offer a standalone font size setting for the Ribbon, increasing your overall Windows system display scaling is the most effective way to enlarge the interface text.

Adjusting the scale and layout in Windows settings will increase the size of text, apps, and other items across your entire device, including the toolbars in Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Windows Start button and select the Settings gear icon, or press the Windows Key + I on your keyboard.

Navigate to Display Settings

Click on System, and then select Display from the left-hand navigation menu.

Adjust Scale and Layout

Scroll down to the 'Scale and layout' section. Click the drop-down menu under 'Change the size of text, apps, and other items' and select a higher percentage, such as 125% or 150%.

Restart Office Applications

Reopen your Office 2019 applications. The Ribbon and toolbar text should now appear noticeably larger.

Document Formatting: Changing the Windows scaling percentage only alters the user interface size. It will not affect the actual font size or printed layout of your documents.

Solution 2

Adjust Microsoft Office Theme Settings

While it does not directly increase font size, changing the Office Theme can greatly improve visual contrast, making the Ribbon and toolbar text much easier to read.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Highly Readable, Modern Interface

If you are frustrated by the rigid interface settings in Microsoft Office 2019, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative. It features an intuitive, modern design with excellent accessibility, making document editing comfortable without complicated workarounds.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install the Application: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the quick setup wizard to install it on your PC.
3. Experience a Modern UI: Launch WPS Office and explore its user-friendly interface, easily toggling Eye Protection mode from the bottom status bar for better readability.

Completely free to use with a clean, customizable user interface.Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Built-in Eye Protection and Dark Mode settings for optimized reading comfort.Lightweight architecture that runs smoothly even on older Windows devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I increase the Ribbon font size in Word 2019 without changing my entire Windows display?

No, Office 2019 does not include a built-in feature to isolate and enlarge only the Ribbon font. You must use the Windows 'Scale and layout' settings, which will scale up all applications on your desktop.

Why is the Display size option missing under my Office Theme settings?

The specific 'Display' size toggle (Large/Medium) is primarily available in Microsoft 365 subscription builds. Many standalone versions of Office 2019 only offer the Office Theme drop-down without the size modifier.

Will increasing Windows scaling change how my documents print?

No, Windows display scaling only impacts how large the user interface (buttons, menus, ribbons) appears on your screen. The actual font sizes within your document and the final printed output remain completely unaffected.

How do I request Microsoft to add a font-size option for the Ribbon?

You can suggest features directly to Microsoft's development team by visiting the official Microsoft Feedback Portal online and submitting a feature request under the specific Office app category.

Office App Problems