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" button
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 only difference between the individual styles is in the color scheme used: colorful, light grey or dark. |
▪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 schemes here. |
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 below.
Furthermore, the following settings can also be made for the user interface:
▪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. |
▪Update dark and light design automatically from the system
| If you enable this option, the style of the user interface (light or dark) will be based on the color settings of your operating system. Thus, if you operate your device in dark mode, the SoftMaker Office applications will automatically switch to this mode also. |
| (This option is not available in the Linux version.) |
"User interface size" button
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.
Use the mouse (or your finger) to drag the Size of dialog elements slider to gradually change the size of the user interface.
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 or even in the Quick access bar 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.
The option Touch mode only enlarges the icons (see also description above). Incidentally, you will also find this function directly in the Quick access bar.
Document scaling (DPI)
You can scale the document higher or lower for a larger/smaller view. To do so, select Custom and enter the desired value.
Show full path in title bar
Enable this option if you want the title bar to display not only the name of the document but also its file path. (Not available in the Android/iOS version.)
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.
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.
Note for users of the iOS version: The system file dialogs are always used automatically here.
Note for users of Linux: You must be running the Gnome desktop environment so that this function is available. (This automatically means you have the Gtk libraries installed).
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.
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, for example, for print previews).
Measurement
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).
Desktop mode
Android/iOS only: If you are using a tablet, you should enable this option so that PlanMaker is displayed in an optimized manner on tablet devices. If you are using the application on your smartphone, leave this option disabled.