This article explains how to change the font and color settings of text in your Yahoo! Messenger instant messages.

Yahoo! Messenger allows you to personalize your font settings by changing the default font and color for text that appears in your instant messages.

To change the default font settings:

1. Select the Messenger menu | Preferences.
   - The Yahoo! Messenger Preferences window opens.
2. Under "Category", click Appearance.
   - The Appearance options display at the right.
3. Click Change Fonts & Colors.
   - The Message Text Style window opens.
4. Change the settings for the font, font style, font size, and font color.
5. Once you have them the way you like, click OK, to set them as your default font settings.
   - Note: Click Cancel if you don't want to use these settings.
6. Click OK.
   - You'll be returned to the Yahoo! Messenger Preferences window.
   - Note: If you only want to see your default settings, click the checkbox option for Always use my fonts and colors.
   - Your font settings will then override your friends' font settings and you'll just see your font preferences in the Conversation window.
7. Click Apply, then click OK.

To change the font and color of your text in a single Conversations window:

1. Click the T (text format) button above the message typing area in your Conversation window to display the formatting tools.
2. Use the format tools to make any text formatting changes.
   - These formatting changes will affect this window only.
   - The text formatting in any other open Conversation windows will not change.

Note: These formatting tools are not available when you are in a conversation with a Windows Live contact or sending SMS messages from Yahoo!.