How to Make Periods Bigger on Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever found yourself squinting at tiny periods in a Word document? Or maybe you’re a teacher who’s tired of students trying to sneak by with smaller punctuation to meet page requirements. Whatever your reason, making periods bigger on Word is a simple task that can make a big difference in the readability of your document. By the end of this article, you’ll be a pro at resizing those pesky little dots.

Step by Step Tutorial: Making Periods Bigger on Word

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to know that making periods bigger on Word can add emphasis to your writing and make it easier to spot the end of sentences. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Highlight the Periods

Select the periods you want to enlarge.

To do this, you can either click and drag your mouse over the periods or hold down the "Ctrl" key and click on each one.

Step 2: Open the Font Dialog Box

Right-click on the highlighted periods and select ‘Font’ from the context menu.

Alternatively, you can go to the ‘Home’ tab on the toolbar and click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the ‘Font’ group.

Step 3: Adjust the Font Size

In the Font Dialog Box, increase the font size number for the periods.

You can type in a specific number or use the up and down arrows to adjust the size incrementally.

Step 4: Apply the Changes

Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes to the highlighted periods.

If you’re not satisfied with the size, simply repeat steps 2 and 3 until you get your desired result.

After completing these steps, your periods will be larger and more visible. This can make your document look better and ensure that your readers don’t miss any important sentence breaks.

Tips for Making Periods Bigger on Word

• Use a font size that is proportional to the rest of your text. Going too big can look awkward.
• Consider bolding the periods as well to add additional emphasis.
• If you’re making periods bigger for a specific style (like APA or MLA), check their guidelines first.
• Remember that enlarging periods can affect the overall layout of your document, so adjust your formatting as needed.
• Use the ‘Find and Replace’ feature to quickly select all periods in the document if you want to resize them all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I increase the size of other punctuation marks as well?

Yes, you can follow the same steps to adjust the size of any punctuation mark in your Word document.

Will making periods bigger change the page count of my document?

It might. Enlarging periods can cause the text to shift and potentially increase the number of pages. Keep an eye on your page count if that’s a concern.

What is the recommended size for periods?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but a good rule of thumb is to make periods one or two points larger than your main text.

Can resizing periods be undone?

Absolutely! You can always highlight the periods again and adjust the size back to the original or any other size you prefer.

Why would I need to make periods bigger?

There are a few reasons: enhancing readability, emphasizing the end of sentences, meeting style guidelines, or deterring students from underhanded tactics to meet page requirements.

Summary

1. Highlight the periods you want to enlarge.
2. Open the Font Dialog Box by right-clicking or through the Home tab.
3. Adjust the font size number for the periods.
4. Apply the changes by clicking ‘OK’.

Conclusion

Making periods bigger on Word is a quick and easy way to enhance the readability of your text or to adhere to specific formatting guidelines. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can adjust the size of your periods and any other punctuation marks with ease. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or professional, understanding how to manipulate the appearance of your text can be incredibly beneficial. So, the next time you’re finalizing a document, consider whether adjusting the size of your periods could improve your work. Happy writing!