Characters on Screen Appear Very Small (131750)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 2.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 2.0e
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 4.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 4.0a
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 4.0c
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Publisher 97
  • Microsoft Publisher for Windows
  • Microsoft Publisher for Windows 1.0a
  • Microsoft Publisher for Windows 2.0
  • Microsoft Publisher for Windows 2.0a
  • Microsoft Publisher for Windows 3.0
This article was previously published under Q131750

SYMPTOMS

When you create a new document or open an existing document in PowerPoint or Publisher for Windows, the text on the screen may appear to be very small. The appearance of the text will not change, even if you try to change it to a different font or point size.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when there is no Windows default printer selected, or if a printer driver is installed that does not support TrueType fonts. Some printer drivers that don't support TrueType fonts are: the Generic Text- Only (TTY) driver, Windows 3.0 printer drivers, and some FAX drivers.

Both Publisher and PowerPoint use the printer driver to determine the appearance and placement of fonts on the screen as well as on the printer. Without a printer that supports TrueType fonts, both programs will substitute Windows screen fonts for actual TrueType fonts, thereby giving the appearance of tiny fonts on the screen.

RESOLUTION

To correct the problem, set a TrueType-compatible printer as your default printer. To do so, follow these steps (these instructions apply to Windows 3.1):
  1. From your Main group in Program Manager, double-click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Printers.
  3. If you have already have a suitable printer in your Installed Printers list, do the following:
    1. Click the printer entry.
    2. Click "Set As Default Printer."
    This will set the printer as your default printer.
  4. If you do not have a suitable printer, perform the following steps:
    1. Make sure you have your Windows installation disks on hand, as these steps will require that you use at least one or more of them.
    2. In the Control Panel Printers dialog box, click Add.
    3. Scroll through the list of printers until you find a suitable printer, click it to select it, and click OK.
      NOTE: You do not need a printer physically attached to your computer to use the driver for it. For instance, if you know that you will be printing your Publisher publication on an HP LaserJet IIIsi, then install that printer driver, even though you may not have that printer actually attached.
    4. Control Panel will prompt you for the appropriate disk(s) to be inserted into your floppy disk drive. After the necessary files are copied, the new printer will appear in the Installed Printers list.
    5. Once the printer is installed, perform step 3 above.
Once you have done the above, the appearance of text in both PowerPoint and Publisher should appear normal.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/16/2005
Keywords:kbdisplay kbprb kbprint KB131750
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