On the Appearance tab in the dialog box of the ribbon command File | Options 
, you can make settings that affect the appearance of the PlanMaker user interface:
Dialog language
Here, you can select the language in which the user interface (ribbon, menus, dialog boxes, etc.) is to be displayed.
User interface
If you click on the User interface button, the program displays a dialog box in which you can select the type of user interface that the SoftMaker Office applications should use:
▪Ribbon (top row)
| If you select one of the styles from the top row, the programs use a "ribbon" as the user interface. The differences between the individual styles are only in the color scheme used. |
▪Classic menus with toolbars (bottom row)
| If you select one of the styles from the bottom row, the programs will use classic menus with toolbars. You can also choose between different color variants here. |
In the dialog box, you can also make the following settings:
▪Quick access toolbar (only in the ribbon interface)
| This option determines where the Quick access toolbar, which contains icons for some of the most frequently used commands, should be displayed: to the left of the document tabs – or in a separate toolbar directly below the ribbon. |
| If you enable this option, all icons in the ribbon user interface or menu interface and toolbars will be slightly enlarged. This is useful when operating the software with your finger (for example, on a tablet). |
| Tip: Alternatively, you can also enable/disable touch mode with the following commands: |
Ribbon user interface: Here, you choose the command Touch mode  in the Quick access toolbar. |
| Classic menu interface: Here, you choose the command View > Touch mode. |
Android/iOS: If you are using these versions, select the user interface via the dropdown list. Here, you have an additional option: Toolbars. For more information, see User interface on Android/iOS. The options Quick access toolbar and Touch mode can be found separately elsewhere on this Appearance tab and work as described above.
Prefer using larger controls
Windows only: This option is important when using 4k monitors. If the program's icons appear too small on your screen (caused by a higher monitor scaling), enabling this option will enlarge the icons appropriately.
Show status bar in ribbon mode
This applies only to the ribbon interface: You can enable/disable the display of the status bar here. To change this for the classic menu interface, see Showing and hiding toolbars.
Show fonts in font list
If this option is enabled, PlanMaker displays all font names in the respective font in font lists (for example, in the font list of the command group Home | Character in the ribbon or in the Formatting toolbar in the classic menu interface). This lets you see the actual appearance of each font at a glance.
This option lets you specify whether or not tooltips should be displayed. These are short info texts that are displayed next to the mouse cursor when you hover over a screen element (for example, a button in the ribbon or in the Standard toolbar for the classic menu interface).
Beep on errors
If this option is enabled, PlanMaker emits a beep for error or warning messages.
Live preview
FreeOffice: The live preview is not included in SoftMaker FreeOffice.
Here, you can enable/disable a live preview for the dropdown lists that are located, for example, in the command group Home | Character.
If this is enabled, for example, you can select text, open the font list in the command group Home | Character and then hover over the fonts in it. The document immediately shows how the selected text would look "live" in the corresponding font.
To actually apply the font, simply click on it. To discard the change, click anywhere outside the font list or press the Esc key.
Use system menus
Mac only: This option determines whether or not the program should display its main menu in the menu bar at the very top of the screen (as is customary for Mac applications).
Depending on the type of user interface you have selected ("Ribbon" or "Classic menus with toolbars"), this option has the following effect:
▪Disabled: The main menu is not displayed in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
| Details: |
Ribbon: If you have selected the "ribbon" user interface, only the "hamburger menu" (the icon  in the Quick access toolbar) is now available to you if you still want to access the classic main menu. |
| Classic menus: In the case of the classic user interface, the main menu is no longer displayed at the top of the screen, but in its own bar (below the title bar). |
▪Enabled: The main menu is displayed in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
| Details: |
| Ribbon: Ribbon users now not only have access to the ribbon user interface, but can also use classic menus in the menu bar. |
| Classic menus: The main menu is now displayed in the menu bar at the top of the screen – and not in its own bar below the title bar. |
Use system file dialogs
This option controls the type of dialog boxes that appear when you use commands for opening and saving files. The options are:
▪Disabled: PlanMaker uses its own file dialogs.
▪Enabled: The default file dialogs of the operating system appear, which you know from the majority of applications.
The former are easier to use; the latter offer more options.
(In the iOS version, the operating system file dialogs are always used automatically.)
Smooth edges of screen fonts
If this option is enabled, PlanMaker uses a technology called "anti-aliasing" to smooth the edges of fonts and improve their appearance on the screen.
Different options are available depending on the operating system.
Workspace color
This option allows you to change the background color of document windows (this option is especially useful for TextMaker and Presentations, but also suitable for PlanMaker, e.g. for print previews).
User interface size
Mac, Linux, Android/iOS only: This button opens a dialog box that allows you to reduce or enlarge the user interface (menu, toolbars, dialog boxes, etc.).
If you select a lower setting here, all user interface elements will be reduced, which will allow you to see more elements at a time. A higher setting, on the other hand, increases legibility.
The option Size of dialog elements changes the size of the user interface in large steps. The option Font size adjustment also allows some fine-tuning in smaller steps.
The Sample field acts as a small tool to help you find a suitable setting: It gives you a preview of how a checkbox in a dialog box will look after you have applied your changes.
Note: Inappropriate settings may cause the user interface to be far too small or too large, especially on devices with a relatively low resolution. If this happens, you can always click on the Reset to default button in the lower left of this dialog box to return to the default settings.
Document scaling (DPI)
Mac, Linux, Android/iOS only: You can scale the document higher or lower for a larger/smaller view. To do so, select Custom and enter the desired value.
Unit of measure
Mac, Linux, Android/iOS only: Here, you can specify the units of measure which PlanMaker should use by default: Metric (centimeter) or U.S. (inch).
(On Windows, this option is not required because the program automatically uses the setting that was selected in the options "Region and Language" of the Windows Control Panel.)
Tip: You can always override this setting and enter a value into dialog boxes in another unit of measure by typing one of the following unit of measures after the value:
Unit |
Explanation |
cm |
Centimeter |
in |
Inch – 1 in equals 2.54 cm. |
pt |
Point – 72 pt equal 1 in. |
pi |
Pica (character) – 1 pi equals 12 pt |
If, for example, you type "5.08 cm" for the left margin, PlanMaker sets it to 2 inches (5.08 cm).
Tablet mode
Android/iOS only: If you are using a tablet, you should enable this option to optimize the display of the application. If you are using the application on your smartphone, leave this option disabled.
Use ribbon animations
Android/iOS only: The command groups of the ribbon tabs can be collapsed and expanded when you tap on them with your finger (only in ribbon mode). If you enable this option, expanding and collapsing will be performed in animated mode.