Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 6, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Unfortunately, Word does not have a setting you can use to specify a default "open" zoom level for your documents. (This would be very nice—Redmond, are you listening?) This means that documents open at the zoom level used when the document was originally saved.
One way to work around this is to create an AutoOpen macro, and then save it in the Normal template. This macro is then automatically run whenever a document based on the template is opened. Since every document has access to the Normal template, every document will have access to the macro.
To make the change, simply open the Normal template file directly and then create your macro, as follows:
Public Sub AutoOpen()
ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Zoom.Percentage = 200
End Sub
Notice that in this very short macro the zoom level is set to 200, which means 200%. If you want some other default zoom level, simply change the value to the desired percentage. Now save and close your Normal template, and exit Word. When you restart Word and open your other files, they should change to the specified zoom level automatically.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1343) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
If you don't like the default color used for comments in a document, you can't change them in Word. You can, however, ...
Discover MoreWhen looking at your document in Draft view, you may want Word to use a larger font than what it normally does. Here's ...
Discover MoreDialog boxes normally present information in a series of tabs. If you want to move from tab to tab without taking your ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2025-06-05 15:35:26
Barbie
Actually, I've found that documents open at the zoom level being used in the document that was closed last.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments