Font box (command) in toolbar

[jomama7366]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Power PC

I was wondering if there was a way to enlarge the font box in the toolbar. For example, I am using Times New Roman, but the box is only big enough to show "Times New..."

 

[CyberTaz]

In addition to other options, yes, you can... If you think it's really worth
giving up the extra space

First, consider the Formatting Palette of the Toolbox - its Font List is
already wider to begin with. Secondly, you can create your own custom
toolbar, add the Font List to it and make it whatever width you'd like.

If it's really necessary to widen the one on the Formatting Toolbar do this:

1- Go to Tools> Customize Toolbars & Menus, Toolbars & Menus page

2- Clear the Formatting Toolbar's Dock column checkbox

3- Put your mouse pointer on the right edge of the Font List so that the
pointer turns into ⇼, then drag to the right as far as you'd like.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[jomama7366]

Thanks for the reply, but I guess I should have been more clear. I have created a customized version of the "Normal" toolbar. I don't want or need more than one toolbar to be visible at a time, so I just added the Font box to my "Normal" toolbar. I cannot see any way to change the width. Your directions do not seem to apply to the Normal toolbar, only the Formatting toolbar, which I am not using.

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Did you try the directions to see whether they would also work on your
custom toolbar? A toolbar is a toolbar, surely it's worth experimenting.

 

[Clive Huggan]

To add to what Daiya has said: there are some good reasons for not modifying
the Normal toolbar. I discuss this in a one-page article 'Why is it best not
to alter the default toolbars?' on page 46 of some notes on the way I use
Word for the Mac, titled "Bend Word to Your Will", which are available as a
free download from the Word MVPs' website
(http://word.mvps.org/Mac/Bend/BendWordToYourWill.html).

[Note: "Bend Word to your will" is designed to be used electronically and
most subjects are self-contained dictionary-style entries. If you decide to
read more widely than the item I've referred to, it's important to read the
front end of the document -- especially pages 3 and 5 -- so you can select
some Word settings that will allow you to use the document effectively.]

Note: In Word 2008, which I don't use yet and therefore isn't covered by
"Bend Word to Your Will", some of this information may not apply, or may be
accessible through a different interface. If that's relevant, check back
soon in case someone modifies what I've said.

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
Canberra, Australia
(My time zone is 5-11 hours different from North America and Europe, so my
follow-on responses to those regions can be delayed)
====================================================

 

[CyberTaz]

No my instructions do not apply to the Standard toolbar (which you refer to
as "Normal"), and that isn't where the Font List is normally located

As the others have mentioned, customizing the built-in Standard toolbar
isn't a good idea for a number of reasons - not the least of which is that
you're unlikely to have a backup or means of retrieval if you ever have to
reinstall the program.

Another is that it can't be "un-docked", which is why you can't stretch the
Font list's width... Hence it is not fully customizable - you can add
controls to it but you can neither remove nor modify the default controls
that are already there.

As I pointed out in step #2 you must *clear* the Dock checkbox in order to
make that change. IOW, the list can only be stretched on a *floating*
toolbar & the Standard toolbar can't be made to float.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

No my instructions do not apply to the Standard toolbar (which you refer to
as "Normal"), and that isn't where the Font List is normally located

I totally read that message as she created her own toolbar and named it
Normal. Oops.

 

[jomama7366]

Daiya-Yes, I still tried it and experimented. But I didn't create my own toolbar, I have modified the Standard toolbar. Is there a way to create a custom toolbar "from scratch" that I'm missing?

CyberTaz-Well, I guess that answers the question that it's not possible, at least for my current setup. No big deal, of course, just wanted to see.

Personally, I like a very simple, clean window to work in. I don't show the ruler when I'm writing, and have very few commands on my toolbar. I like showing only one toolbar, and that's why I don't also have the Formatting toolbar visible underneath the Standard (sorry for calling it the "Normal").

Anyhow, thanks for the replies.

 

[CyberTaz]

Then what you want to do is: go back into the Customize dialog, Toolbars &
Menus page, click the New button to create a new toolbar with whatever name
you want it to have & add whatever commands you need. You can then remove
the Show check for all other toolbars & display only the custom bar you
created. The only "downside" is that your custom bar can't be docked within
the document window ( which IMO is a *plus*), but it can be docked
immediately below the Menu Bar, on either side of the screen or left
floating - whichever you prefer... Just drag it around as you see fit

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac