If words are too small to read on paper, make print size larger using "printer friendly" option. Use page print preview to make small text size larger. Seniors and Boomers need to read printouts, too. Computer reading glasses are another trick that seniors can use.
Make Words Bigger on Printout, Change the Webpage to "Printer Friendly"
Every website has a different name for the "printer friendly" button or link. Some articles don't have it, but most do. Look for a button or word something like this:
- Printer Friendly
- Print Article
- Print Page
- Print This Page
The "printer friendly" button can be on the top, bottom, or side of a page. It might be helpful to wear computer glasses for this. Until then, use this keyboard shortcut:
- Press Ctrl button + "F" key at same time
- Type the word "print" into the search box.
- Click "printer friendly" button.
Make Print Size Larger
On the "printer friendly" screen, select "print preview", using one of these two methods:
- Next to print icon, click tiny arrow, and choose "print preview".
- Right click on mouse and choose "print preview".
This is the print preview for the printer. Use this to see what a printed page will look like before wasting ink and paper. Print from this page after changing "shrink to fit" size to a larger size.
- Click on arrow next to "shrink to fit"
- Change "shrink to fit" to 125% or larger.
Easy, right? If this works, there's no reason to read on.
If There is No "Printer Friendly" Button to Change Small Text Size
If there is no "printer friendly" button, a page will sometimes convert itself to print friendly text. To find out go to "print preview". Then change "shrink to fit" to a larger size. If the paragraphs fit, print from here.
If Article Doesn't Fit, Try Printing Sideways
If the sentences in the article don't fit, try changing the page sideways (to landscape). On the "print preview" page in the upper left hand corner, there are two small "pieces of paper". Click the one which goes sideways, also called "landscape".
- Change to landscape
- Change "shrink to fit" to 125% (or larger)
- See if sentences fit
When All Else Fails, Seniors Can Use Cut and Paste
When nothing else works, the paragraphs in the article can be highlighted, copied, and pasted onto a new text document, using keyboard shortcuts. Then it can be made into a larger text and printed.
- Open new text document
- Highlight text on webpage article
- Press Ctrl + C (copy)
- Press Ctrl + V (paste) on new text document
On the text document, make the print bigger:
- Press Ctrl + A (all)
- Change make text bigger
Computer Glasses are Helpful for Boomers and Seniors
Many Boomers and Seniors try to save money by using readers or bi focals for computer work. This can mean squinty headaches, but computer glasses really do help. Buy something inexpensive online or visit an optometrist to avoid eyestrain. (Seniors have enough health problems; fix the easy ones.)
- Reading glasses for the computer are not expensive (Try discount vision stores.)
- Clip on computer glasses are the cheapest solution
Anyone can use the page print preview to make word size bigger on printouts. These instructions sound complex, but after a few times, it will be easy. Seniors and Boomers should know how to make print size larger. Even when it's possible to change small text size to large print, seniors and older boomers should consider getting computer reading glasses. Why suffer through technological headaches when it's easy to make a few inexpensive changes?
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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