how can I change font size?

**rippon** · 10-13-2011, 11:37 PM

In a JPanel component, I can draw text:

JPanel myPanel = new JPanel()
myPanel.getGraphics().drawString("hallo world", 50, 50);

But I can't see how to change the *size* of the text (which is point size 12).

There is no 'setFontSize(...)' method.

There *is* a setFont() method. But that looks like you have to define a new font of your own.

So I'm thinking along these lines:

myPanel.getGraphics().setFont(new Font("myFont", PLAIN, 14));

I hope it's clear what I'm *trying* to do - something very trivial but nevertheless defeating me; and I hope you can help.

**sunde887** · 10-14-2011, 12:04 AM

It'd be easier to get a reference to the graphics object and then use something similar to what you have done.

Java Code:

Graphics g = myPanel.getGraphics();
Font f = new Font(Font.SANS_SERIF, Font.PLAIN, 20);
g.setFont(f);
g.drawString(...);
//other graphics stuff

**doWhile** · 10-14-2011, 12:42 AM

Never call getGraphics() on a JComponent...do your drawing by overriding the paintComponent(Graphics g) method and use the parameter Graphics object. To change the font, call setFont on the component, passing the new font as the parameter. If you want to mix fonts, in the paintComponent method, set the font of the graphics object. The Font class has a deriveFont method to get a new reference to a Font object with the appropriate derived font (for example to change the font size - see the API for more information)

**dmheli** · 10-28-2011, 12:43 PM

You know you can actually use html tags on strings. Put the <html> tag at the beginning of the string you want to format.
For example:

String text = "<html><font size=4 color=blue> This is a string";

Closing tags are optional, but you'll need it in some cases.

Works in all JComponents.

**DarrylBurke** · 10-28-2011, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by dmheli

You know you can actually use html tags on strings.
<snip/>
Works in all JComponents.

No, it doesn't work in *all* JComponents. And most relevant here, Graphics#drawString does not interpret HTML.

db

**dmheli** · 10-29-2011, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by DarrylBurke

No, it doesn't work in *all* JComponents. And most relevant here, Graphics#drawString does not interpret HTML.

Sorry, my mistake. you can only use HTML formatting on Swing components that display a text string as part of their GUI, like buttons , labels, tabbed panes, tables.

But anyway, just for additional info.