Mouseless Font Control
Are you someone who is constantly trying to escape the mouse? You’ve learned everything you can about using keyboard shortcuts, but you still find yourself annoyed every time you try to change the font style or size in your MS Office projects.
You know, you go over to the mouse, click on the font name, scroll through the list until you find what you’re looking for, click on the font name, you click on the font size scrollbar and so on. Get the idea? Did you hear all the clicks?
Want some keyboard shortcuts to get around the clicking nightmare?
Yes? Well, then read on!
First of all, let’s address the font style.
To access the font type list, you’ll need to use Ctrl + Shift + F.
This will highlight the current font name in the list and it will allow you to have control over the list using the keyboard.
You can scroll up and down with the arrows. You know, basically browsing your options the same as you would with your mouse.
Or, if you know the name of the font you’re looking for, you can type in the name. But keep in mind, the spelling must be exactly correct and you must include the correct capital letters.
Or, if you know the name of the font, but not the correct spelling, you can just type the first letter of the name and it will take you to that part of the list. You can then use the arrow keys to find the correct font.
Whatever method you use to find the name of the font you’re looking for, hit the Enter key when you’re done.
Poof! Font changed.
Now, to move on to changing the font size.
To increase font size in increments, try Ctrl + Shift + > or Ctrl + ].
Decreasing the font size can be accomplished with Ctrl + Shift + < or Ctrl + [.
These methods work well and are very efficient. The key combinations using < and > will increase or decrease the font size, according to the sizes listed in the font size drop down list. The other combinations using [ and ] increase or decrease the font size one point at a time.
But, what about the times when you need to set a font like 14.5? (After all, who wants to be just like everyone else and use the regular font sizes? Let’s be different!)
Can it be done?
Yes, it can! Simply use the key combination of Ctrl + Shift + P. This will highlight the current font size in the font size drop down list.
Now, all you have to do is type the font size you’d like and hit the Enter key.
Presto! You get a custom font size with only a few keystrokes.
Here’s to being unique!
~ April