Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 27, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
George would like to condense only the space between words in some text he selects in a document. He can change the point size of each space, one at a time. He can also do it by finding the space and replacing it with a space that is a smaller font size. However, he would like to decrease the size of the spaces step by step. (For example, 0.1 points in each step.)
It isn't possible to do exactly what George wants because Word only allows you to adjust font size in half-point increments, not tenth-point increments. If decrementing by a half-point at a time will do, then the best approach is to use a macro:
Sub StepSpaceFontSize()
Dim F As Double
Dim C As Long
For C = 1 To Len(Selection)
If Asc(Mid(Selection, C, 1)) = 32 Then
F = Selection.Range.Characters(C).Font.Size
If F > 5 Then
Selection.Range.Characters(C).Font.Size = (F - 0.5)
End If
End If
Next C
End Sub
The macro steps through each character in whatever text is selected and, if the character is a space, decreases the point size of just that space. The macro enforces a bottom limit on font size, as it will only go down to 5 points.
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 (13717) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
Macros are often created to accomplish a specific task, after which they are no longer needed. If you need to delete a ...
Discover MoreOne of the easiest ways to quickly access a macro is to assign it to the Quick Access toolbar. Here's how you can make ...
Discover MoreThe heart of creating powerful programs in VBA is to understand how to create subroutines. These structures allow you to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2019-12-28 06:47:20
Ken Endacott
The macro must be executed for each 0.5 point reduction in space size. The following macro repeats the reductions until cancelled.
Sub StepSpaceSize()
Dim aRange As Range
Dim k As Long
Dim F As Single
Set aRange = Selection.Range
Do While MsgBox("Reduce all spaces in selection by 0.5 points", vbOKCancel) = vbOK
k = 1
Do
If aRange.Characters(k) = " " Then
F = aRange.Characters(k).Font.Size
aRange.Characters(k).Font.Size = F - 0.5
End If
k = k + 1
Loop Until k > Len(aRange.Text)
aRange.Select
Loop
End Sub
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu 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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments