Smushing Text Together

Summary: Text is linearly spaced according to the specifications set up by the makers of the font you are using. Word allows you to override the spacing so that letters appear closer together. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

I'll bet you already knew that "smushing" is a technical term, right? It is, I believe, a combination of the words "smashing" and "pushing." In this usage, it simply means to squeeze text together by reducing the distance between characters.

Normally, each font installed on your system has a default distance between characters. This distance is calculated based on the type face used and on the way the font designer wants the type face to appear. There are simply times when it is necessary to push text closer together, however. In order to do that, simply follow these steps:

Select the text you want to condense.
Choose Font from the Format menu. Word displays the Font dialog box.
Make sure the Character Spacing tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Using the Spacing drop-down list, choose Condensed.
Using the By control, just to the right of the Spacing drop-down list, specify how much you want your text condensed, in points.
Click on OK.

Tip #1473 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Smushing Text Together