Page Layout Zoom Settings

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 5, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

You may have noticed that when you are using Print Layout view, Word can change magnification levels (the zoom setting) automatically. There are a couple of rules of thumb to remember in regards to the zoom settings:

If you are opening an existing document that you previously viewed in Print Layout view, Word uses the zoom setting you were using when last viewing the document. This is because zoom settings are saved with the document.
If you are opening an existing document that you have never viewed in Print Layout view before, Word uses the zoom setting you were last using—period. This is because there was no last zoom setting for the document, so the last system setting was used.
If you are opening a new document, then Word uses the zoom setting last used for whatever document you were using.

You should note, as well, that you should check the zoom setting in your Normal.dot template file. This can also have an effect on newly created files. Open Normal.dot, set the zoom setting for Print Layout view, and then save the file again.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (378) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Setting the Default Font Size for Comment Balloons

Straining your eyes to see the comments in a document? You can modify the size of the default font used for the comments, ...

Discover More

Stopping Help from Using Online Resources

The two newest versions of Excel rely upon the Internet to grab help information. If you don't want Excel to seek help ...

Discover More

Resize Graphics Outside of Word

Need your graphics to be larger or smaller than they first appear when you insert them in a document? Your best bet may ...

Discover More

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!

More WordTips (menu)

Entering Units of Measurement in Dialog Boxes

There are many dialog boxes in Word that allow you to specify various settings that affect the way the program lays out ...

Discover More

Using Text Boundaries

Text boundaries can help you better visualize where text can appear in your document. The feature is easy to turn on and ...

Discover More

Controlling Display of the Status Bar

The status bar is used to display all sorts of information about the document on which you are working. Depending on your ...

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is seven minus 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

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.