Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007 and 2010. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Drop-Down List Font Sizes.
James asked if there was a way to increase the font size used in the column drop-down lists that appear when you enable the AutoFilter in Excel. He normally sets the zoom on his worksheet to 60% so that he can see more of the worksheet at once, and the drop-down list font is smaller still.
Unfortunately, there is no way to change the size of the font. The font size used for some Excel controls is modified whenever you change the display properties in Windows, but none of those affect the drop-down font, either.
Because the font size increases in proportion to the zoom factor used for a worksheet, there is one potential workaround. You could increase the zoom factor a significant amount, say to 100% or even 125%. Then, select the data in the worksheet and decrease the font size and adjust column widths so you can see as much of the worksheet as you could at the 60% zoom factor. The change in worksheet font size should not affect the drop-down font size. That should still be tied to the zoom factor, and now be large enough to easily read.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8448) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007 and 2010. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Drop-Down List Font Sizes.
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2023-03-17 07:34:50
Billy Thomas
Slick!
2019-08-29 10:04:49
Kevin (2)
I use a Text Box sized to 2 cell heights (Or whatever amount. To get the larger text), that triggers a User Form of the drop down list in whatever size you need.
2019-08-29 03:22:11
John (UK)
Nice tip - thanks, Allen. You could also incorporate the zoom and font/column changes into a macro, starting with Activewindow.Zoom = 125 and so on, and have it run each time you open the workbook, to save a little time in making manual changes to these settings.
2018-04-18 19:58:57
Jack Oziel
Regarding the font size on a list:
It would be a little more work, but if a person would like a larger font in a list, they could the alternate of a combo box.
2016-12-26 17:05:38
Elizabelle
My simple work around is to make all my lists for drop-down in capital letters. It does make a difference.
2016-07-29 13:56:50
Jean
Is there any way to change the height of the drop down box that appears for a filter? I'd like to see more that just the first 5 values before I have to scroll down. My list isn't long, no more than about 10, but I have to get to #6 every time.
2016-04-07 16:56:34
Sorh
I like the zoom in qualities of this code, but how can I get the cell I'm selecting (to zoom in) to turn into a highlighted cell and then off again when clicked on another cell?
2015-04-14 03:10:32
Caetano Pires
Thanks You Bill so very much for this life saver code. Was hunting for this possibility for past 3 days.
Cheers,
Caetano
DXB-Goa,India
2015-03-26 09:27:28
James
To get around protected worksheets I did the following. If it has a password you will have to enter it.
Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
Dim rngDV As Range
Dim intZoom As Integer
Dim intZoomDV As Integer
intZoom = 60
intZoomDV = 125
ActiveSheet.Unprotect
Application.EnableEvents = False
On Error Resume Next
Set rngDV = Cells.SpecialCells(xlCellTypeAllValidation)
On Error GoTo errHandler
If rngDV Is Nothing Then GoTo errHandler
If Intersect(Target, rngDV) Is Nothing Then
With ActiveWindow
If .Zoom <> intZoom Then
.Zoom = intZoom
End If
End With
Else
With ActiveWindow
If .Zoom <> intZoomDV Then
.Zoom = intZoomDV
End If
End With
End If
exitHandler:
Application.EnableEvents = True
ActiveSheet.Protect DrawingObjects:=True, Contents:=True, Scenarios:=True
Exit Sub
errHandler:
GoTo exitHandler
ActiveSheet.Protect DrawingObjects:=True, Contents:=True, Scenarios:=True
End Sub
2014-08-06 09:45:03
Kevin
i'm sorry, i forget to say i used Bill Cooter's code that was posted on 5/27/14 to get the results i wanted. But like i said, the code works if the sheet is not protected, but once i protect the sheet, it does not work.
2014-08-05 09:26:27
Michael (Micky) Avidan
@Kevin,
I'm not aware of any problem to change the zoom level in a protected sheet.ble to produce your problem.
You can upload an example workbook to some File Hosting sites and let us know the link for us to download it.
Michael (Micky) Avidan
“Microsoft® Answers" - Wiki author & Forums Moderator
“Microsoft®” MVP – Excel (2009-2015)
ISRAEL
2014-08-04 15:10:17
Kevin
this works good if the sheet is unprotected. Once i protect the sheet, it stops working. what am i doing wrong do get the sheet protected and still be able to zoom when the cell is selected?
2014-07-17 07:38:51
Bryan
Ah yes, the Data Validation dropdowns do resize their fonts when you change the zoom setting. Perhaps that's what Allen meant.
2014-07-16 16:30:44
Chameshi
I believe this article is for the drop down list created from Data Validation (in the Data ribbon tab). The Autofilter drop down is a different one.
2013-05-28 07:22:29
Bryan
I don't understand this tip. When I zoom out, then select one of the autofilter drop-downs, everything seems to be normal font. What is it people can't see?
I don't understand why people use zoom as a permanent solution. I have NEVER needed it, and I work with a LOT of spreadsheets. If you have to fit everything on one screen and can't redesign your spreadsheet, why not just take the font down and decrease the size of the cells? That way you don't have these and other problems caused by zooming.
2013-05-27 16:14:15
Paul
When I setup my list I set the font size to e.g. 12 in the list. I also set the font size in the cell with the list attached and got the results I wanted. This may help.
2013-05-27 13:21:30
Bill Cooter
I found a while back some code the zooms the spreadsheet when the cell with the drop down list is selected, it then returns the sheet back to original size when de-selected. I can't remember where I found it, so I can't give proper credit. But it has worked for me.
Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
Dim rngDV As Range
Dim intZoom As Integer
Dim intZoomDV As Integer
intZoom = 48
intZoomDV = 100
Application.EnableEvents = False
On Error Resume Next
Set rngDV = Cells.SpecialCells(xlCellTypeAllValidation)
On Error GoTo errHandler
If rngDV Is Nothing Then GoTo errHandler
If Intersect(Target, rngDV) Is Nothing Then
With ActiveWindow
If .Zoom <> intZoom Then
.Zoom = intZoom
End If
End With
Else
With ActiveWindow
If .Zoom <> intZoomDV Then
.Zoom = intZoomDV
End If
End With
End If
exitHandler:
Application.EnableEvents = True
Exit Sub
errHandler:
GoTo exitHandler
End Sub
2012-03-05 18:56:35
Waberjocki
actually it doesn't help when you need to print...only for when you are viewing or working within the document and tedious to convert back and forth...still looking for a better workaround...anyone???
2012-02-22 06:16:13
Bajaki
actually the tip helped me, i didn't know
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