How to Change the Default Zoom Settings in Microsoft Office

If the text or objects in Microsoft Office programs appear too large or too small, customize the zoom and default zoom settings to your preferences. You can change the zoom level for a document or adjust the default zoom for every new file you create.

Instructions in this article apply to Microsoft 365, Office 2019, Office 2016, Office 2013, and Office 2010.

How to Customize the Zoom Setting of Your Office Program's Screen

These features vary according to the program (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and others) and operating system (desktop, mobile, or web). Still, this quick list of solutions should help you find a solution.

Office files open at the zoom level used when they were originally saved.

Select the View tab.
Select Zoom in the Zoom group.
Choose the percentage to which you want to zoom. Alternatively, select Page Width, Text Width, or Whole Page.
Another option is the Zoom slider in the lower-right corner of the window. Use it by clicking or dragging the slider.

You can also use a shortcut command. Hold down Ctrl, then scroll up or down with the mouse. If you don't want to use a mouse, type the keyboard shortcut Alt+V. When the View dialog box appears, press the letter Z to show the Zoom dialog box. To make customizations, press Tab until you get to the Percentage box, then type the zoom percentage with the keyboard.

You can create a macro for zooming Office documents or make changes to the template in some programs. This option can be technical. However, it may be worth it to go through those steps if you have some extra time.

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