Increase Font Size in Safari--without zooming! - iPhone 3G

Tinman · 08-25-2007, 09:46 PM

I can't imagine I am the only one frustrated by the fact that we can zoom entire Web pages in Safari, but not increase text size. And while it's cool that Safari will zoom in to a text column, for me the text is often just too small for comfort, mostly while in portrait orientation.

Before someone replies with, "I just zoom in with my fingers to see better." I know you can do that, but that often leads to having to scroll horizontally, which to me is a pain in the neck.

So I have a few bookmarklets that allow me to change text sizes within Safari. Right now I am still working to make it smoother, but I at least have some screenshots to show.

Below is an example of a thread here when zoomed in to a text column, in portrait orientation. On the left is standard Safari. While this is readable I would rather the text be larger, without having to scroll horizontally. So on the right I have applied my Font Size 18pt. To me it is more readable:

Here is the bookmarklet:
javascript:for(i=0;i<document.getElementsByTagName ('*')
.length;i++)void(document.getElementsByTagName('*' )
[i].style.fontSize='18pt');

Enter that on one line in a bookmark on your computer than sync to the iPhone. You can create other sizes by changing 18 to something else. I also have one that pops up a dialog box where you can enter a text size.

Please note that the effect is only temporary: when you reload the page the page is back to normal. Also note that the operation is a little flaky, you might need to load the bookmarklet twice to get it to take effect. Oh yea, it can take about 5 seconds for the effect to occur.

Will need some tweaking. But I for one was glad to see this was possible.

--
Mike

The Toddfather · 08-25-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinman

I can't imagine I am the only one frustrated by the fact that we can zoom entire Web pages in Safari, but not increase text size. And while it's cool that Safari will zoom in to a text column, for me the text is often just too small for comfort, mostly while in portrait orientation.

Before someone replies with, "I just zoom in with my fingers to see better." I know you can do that, but that often leads to having to scroll horizontally, which to me is a pain in the neck.

So I have a few bookmarklets that allow me to change text sizes within Safari. Right now I am still working to make it smoother, but I at least have some screenshots to show.

Below is an example of a thread here when zoomed in to a text column, in portrait orientation. On the left is standard Safari. While this is readable I would rather the text be larger, without having to scroll horizontally. So on the right I have applied my Font Size 18pt. To me it is more readable:

Here is the bookmarklet:
javascript:for(i=0;i<document.getElementsByTagName ('*')
.length;i++)void(document.getElementsByTagName('*' )
[i].style.fontSize='18pt');

Enter that on one line in a bookmark on your computer than sync to the iPhone. You can create other sizes by changing 18 to something else. I also have one that pops up a dialog box where you can enter a text size.

Please note that the effect is only temporary: when you reload the page the page is back to normal. Also note that the operation is a little flaky, you might need to load the bookmarklet twice to get it to take effect. Oh yea, it can take about 5 seconds for the effect to occur.

Will need some tweaking. But I for one was glad to see this was possible.

--
Mike

Nice going, the small font is annoying.

Petronius · 09-01-2008, 04:49 AM

I have a few bookmarklets that allow me to change text sizes within Safari. Right now I am still working to make it smoother,...Will need some tweaking. But I for one was glad to see this was possible.

Thanks - exactly what I was looking for. Have you developed it yet?

Petronius · 09-01-2008, 05:07 AM

>>Here is the bookmarklet:
javascript:for(i=0;i<document.getElementsByTagName ('*')
.length;i++)void(document.getElementsByTagName('*' )
[i].style.fontSize='18pt');

Enter that on one line in a bookmark on your computer than sync to the iPhone. <<

I've done that but each time I click on it on the iPhone Safari, I'm taken to this website!

Am I missing something?

Thanks

Petronius · 09-01-2008, 05:15 AM

...each time I click on it on the iPhone Safari, I'm taken to this website!
[/quote]

Daah! Stupid me, I've now pasted the string properly and it does work!

Thanks

styfle · 09-01-2008, 07:41 AM

is the only way to get it on the phone to sync bookmarks?
because i currently dont sync bookmarks

CallumBeau · 09-14-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinman

I can't imagine I am the only one frustrated by the fact that we can zoom entire Web pages in Safari, but not increase text size. And while it's cool that Safari will zoom in to a text column, for me the text is often just too small for comfort, mostly while in portrait orientation.

Before someone replies with, "I just zoom in with my fingers to see better." I know you can do that, but that often leads to having to scroll horizontally, which to me is a pain in the neck.

So I have a few bookmarklets that allow me to change text sizes within Safari. Right now I am still working to make it smoother, but I at least have some screenshots to show.

Below is an example of a thread here when zoomed in to a text column, in portrait orientation. On the left is standard Safari. While this is readable I would rather the text be larger, without having to scroll horizontally. So on the right I have applied my Font Size 18pt. To me it is more readable:

Here is the bookmarklet:
javascript:for(i=0;i<document.getElementsByTagName ('*')
.length;i++)void(document.getElementsByTagName('*' )
[i].style.fontSize='18pt');

Enter that on one line in a bookmark on your computer than sync to the iPhone. You can create other sizes by changing 18 to something else. I also have one that pops up a dialog box where you can enter a text size.

Please note that the effect is only temporary: when you reload the page the page is back to normal. Also note that the operation is a little flaky, you might need to load the bookmarklet twice to get it to take effect. Oh yea, it can take about 5 seconds for the effect to occur.

Will need some tweaking. But I for one was glad to see this was possible.

--
Mike

Hi

When copy and this into safari, every time it changes it to:-

javascript:for(i=0;i<document.getElementsByTagName %20('*')

ANY IDEAS AS TO WHY???

Cheers

Callum

Hondamaker · 09-14-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallumBeau

Hi

When copy and this into safari, every time it changes it to:-

javascript:for(i=0;i<document.getElementsByTagName %20('*')

ANY IDEAS AS TO WHY???

Cheers

Callum

I believe you have to type it in as one long line of text.

Lincoln · 09-14-2008, 07:47 PM

Wow, really old thread..

brettsinger · 09-23-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincoln

Wow, really old thread..

true enough, but this is a huge help. Kind of amazing that Apple hasn't added a text-size feature to Safari. I guess they want their users to develop carpal tunnel... (Note: I don't actually think Apple wants anyone to develop carpal tunnel, but this bookmarklet saves me some screen swiping.)