Creating small caps in Word is a nifty trick that can add a touch of professionalism to your documents. It’s a simple task where you transform lowercase letters into smaller versions of their uppercase counterparts. To do this in Word, you just need to highlight the text, access the font options, and apply the small caps effect. This guide will walk you through each step to ensure you can master this feature without a hitch.
How to Do Small Caps in Word
In this section, you’ll learn the straightforward process of applying small caps to your text in Word. Follow these steps to give your documents a polished look.
Step 1: Open Your Document
Open the Word document where you want to apply small caps.
To start, make sure the document you want to work on is open and ready. If you’re just experimenting, create a new one so you can safely play around without worrying about making unintended changes.
Step 2: Highlight the Text
Select the text you wish to convert to small caps.
Use your mouse to click and drag over the text. If you want to change a larger section, hold down the Shift key and use the arrow keys for precision.
Step 3: Access the Font Dialog Box
Go to the ‘Home’ tab and click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the ‘Font’ group.
This little arrow might be easy to miss, but it’s your gateway to more detailed font options. It’s like a backstage pass to Word’s font settings.
Step 4: Check the Small Caps Box
In the Font dialog box, check the ‘Small caps’ option.
Once the box is open, look for ‘Small caps’ under the Effects section. Checking this box tells Word to apply the effect to your selected text.
Step 5: Click OK
Click OK to apply the changes.
This step finalizes your choice. Once you click it, Word will immediately transform the selected text into small caps.
After completing this action, your selected text will appear in small caps. It’s a subtle yet effective way to enhance the visual appeal of headers, titles, or any text you want to stand out.
Tips for Using Small Caps in Word
- Small caps are great for headings or to give emphasis without using traditional bold or italics.
- Use small caps sparingly to maintain readability in longer documents.
- Combine small caps with different fonts to find a style that fits your document’s theme.
- Be mindful of different font styles, as some may not support small caps.
- Always preview your document before sharing to ensure the small caps look consistent throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make small caps in Word?
You can make small caps by highlighting text, opening the font dialog box, and checking the ‘Small caps’ option.
Are small caps available in all fonts?
Not all fonts support small caps. It’s best to check with the font settings to see if the effect holds.
Can I apply small caps to numbers?
Small caps generally apply to letters. Numbers will remain unchanged unless you manually adjust their size.
Is there a shortcut for small caps in Word?
No specific shortcut is available, but you can use the Alt key to access the Font dialog box quickly.
Do small caps affect the document’s word count?
No, small caps only change the appearance, not the content or word count.
Summary
- Open your Word document.
- Highlight the desired text.
- Open the Font dialog box.
- Check the ‘Small caps’ box.
- Click OK.
Conclusion
Mastering small caps in Word can significantly enhance the elegance of your documents. It’s a simple process that transforms how your text appears, adding a layer of sophistication that is visually appealing. Whether you’re drafting a formal report or designing a creative flyer, small caps can provide just the right amount of flair.
Practicing these steps will help you become familiar with this feature, and soon it’ll be second nature. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different text and styles to find what works best for your needs. Remember, the key to great document design is not just using the right tools but using them effectively to communicate your message clearly and compellingly. Now, go ahead and give your documents a professional touch with small caps in Word!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.