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Making the text larger

How you make the page text larger depends on whether you use a computer that runs on Windows, Mac OS, or on another operating system, and on which browser you use.

To change the size of the text in your internet browser for any web page you view, follow the instructions for your browser type below.  You can also use these instructions if you want to reset the text size to default.

If you have problems changing your settings, use the Help menu in your browser toolbar.

Instructions for Windows users

Making text larger in Internet Explorer in Windows

  • On the browser menu select 'View'
  • Select 'Text size'
  • Choose the text size you prefer
  • Some other websites have fixed the size of their text and as a result will not show the change you have just made.  If you want to make sure that your chosen text size will apply to all web pages you view, follow these steps:
  • On the browser Tools menu select 'Internet Options'
  • On the General tab, select 'Accessibility'
  • Tick the three check boxes and click ‘OK’ or hit enter
  • On the browser Tools menu select 'Internet Options'
  • On the General tab, select 'Accessibility'
  • Tick the 'Ignore font sizes specified on web pages' check box and click ‘OK’ or hit enter

Making text larger in Firefox in Windows

  • Open the 'View' menu
  • Select the 'Text Size' option
  • Increase or decrease the text size
  • You can also press 'Ctrl' and '+' to increase the text size, 'Ctrl' and '-' to decrease the text size.  'Ctrl' and '0' returns you to the default size.

Instructions for Mac OS users

Making the text larger in Internet Explorer in Mac OS

  • On the browser menu select 'View'
  • Select ‘Text Zoom’
  • Choose the text size you prefer
  • Some other websites have fixed the size of their text and as a result will not show the change you have just made.  If you want to make sure that your chosen text size will apply to all web pages you view, follow these steps:
  • On the browser Tools menu select 'Internet Options'
  • On the General tab, select 'Accessibility'
  • Tick the three check boxes and click ‘OK’ or hit enter
  • On the browser Tools menu select 'Internet Options'
  • On the General tab, select 'Accessibility'
  • Tick the 'Ignore font sizes specified on web pages' check box and click ‘OK’ or hit enter
Making text larger in Firefox in Mac OS
  • Open the 'View' menu
  • Select the 'Text Size' option
  • Increase or decrease the text size
  • You can also press ‘Apple’ and '+' to increase the text size, ‘Apple’ and '-' to decrease the text size.  ‘Apple’ and '0' returns you to the default size.

Instructions for users of other operating systems or browsers

If your operating system or browser isn’t listed here, the BBC My Web My Way site has further, illustrated, instructions for changing text size (http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility).