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Office Settings & Configuration

How to Zoom Out in Microsoft Word and Office Apps

Maira MehtabMaira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 875 views

Question details

The user wants to reduce the viewing percentage or magnification of a document, presentation, or worksheet because it appears too large on the screen.

Product
Microsoft Office / Word
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Adjusting the document view to see more of the page or layout at once.
Observed behavior
The active document is displayed at a large magnification, requiring the user to zoom out for a better overview.
Before you start

Ensure that the document or worksheet you want to adjust is the currently active window, as zoom settings only apply to the active interface.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Zoom Slider on the Status Bar

The quickest and most common method to adjust document magnification using your mouse.

1
Locate the zoom slider

Look at the bottom-right corner of the Word or Office application window to find the zoom slider on the Status bar.

2
Adjust the slider

Click and hold the slider handle, then drag it to the left to reduce the viewing percentage. Alternatively, click the minus (-) button next to the slider to zoom out in increments.

Seamless Document Viewing

Easily Manage Document Views in WPS Office

WPS Office provides highly intuitive zoom controls and a familiar interface, making it effortless to adjust your document view. It is lightweight, fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, and completely free to use.

  1. 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to read or edit.
  2. 2. Locate the status bar: Find the zoom slider at the bottom-right corner of the WPS interface.
  3. 3. Drag to zoom out: Drag the slider to the left or click the minus (-) icon to decrease the magnification size.
  4. 4. Use the ribbon menu: Alternatively, navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and select a specific zoom percentage for precise control.
Instantly adjust document zoom using the status bar sliderUse familiar Ctrl + Scroll shortcuts for quick view adjustments100% compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formatsLightweight application with robust and customizable viewing features
QA img-9

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I quickly return to the default 100% zoom level?

To reset your view, go to the 'View' tab on the ribbon menu and click the '100%' button. This instantly snaps the document back to its default magnification.

Can I view multiple pages at once while zoomed out?

Yes. In the 'View' tab, you can click on 'Multiple Pages' (or 'Multiple' in some versions). This allows you to see several pages side-by-side as you zoom out.

Does zooming out affect how the document prints?

No, adjusting the zoom slider only changes how the document is displayed on your screen. It does not alter the actual font size, layout, or how the document will appear when printed.