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Translator Text Formatting

Meghann Reynolds 20 Reputation points
2026-05-01T15:42:39.3133333+00:00

I am running into text formatting issues when translating a document from English to Khmer (Cambodian). The returned, translated text is too small to read. When I attempt to format the text to a larger size, it creates extra spacing and more formatting issues. I have translating documents from English to Khmer previously without issues. This seems to be a new problem possible tied to an update?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Other
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  1. Kai-H 16,355 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-04T07:50:51.1866667+00:00

    Hi, Meghann Reynolds

    This sounds less like a translation accuracy issue and more like Word is carrying over odd hidden formatting after the document is translated. Khmer text can also look wrong if Word falls back to a poor Khmer font or if the translated content keeps unusual character spacing.

    Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

    First, copy the translated Khmer text into a brand-new blank Word document using Paste Special > Unformatted Text, then format it from there. This removes hidden formatting that may have come from the translator.

    Make sure the file is saved as .docx, not an older .doc file or converted PDF.

    In Windows, install the Khmer language/keyboard support under Settings > Time & language > Language & region, then reopen Word.

    It is also recommended that you try a Khmer Unicode font such as Noto Sans Khmer or Khmer OS, since default fallback fonts can sometimes display Khmer very small.

    If this started right after an Office update, try testing the same file in Word for the web. If it displays normally there, the issue is likely with the desktop Word build rather than the document itself.

    Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment."    

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    2 people found this answer helpful.

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-05-01T15:42:54.9933333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    The behavior described matches a display/formatting issue rather than a language‑specific translation problem. There is no documented Azure Translator or Office Translator issue specific to Khmer text size in the provided context, but similar Word/Office rendering problems are documented and can be mitigated with display and font settings.

    Try these steps in the app where the translated text is being edited (for example, Word in Microsoft 365):

    1. Check zoom and view mode
    • Ensure the document is in Print Layout view.
    • Set Zoom to 100% and verify whether the Khmer text still appears smaller than English text. Zoom issues can make fonts appear inconsistent even when the underlying formatting is correct.
    1. Reset Word’s display rendering If the issue is in Word desktop:
    • Go to File > Options > General and turn off “Optimize for compatibility.” Close and restart Word.
    • Then go to File > Options > Advanced > Display and enable “Use subpixel positioning to smooth fonts on screen.” If available, also disable graphics acceleration. These steps are known to correct inconsistent font display where text appears to be different sizes even though the font size is the same.
    1. Adjust font and point size carefully If the translated Khmer text is technically a smaller point size or is being cut off/creating extra spacing when enlarged:
    • Select the Khmer text.
    • Open the Font dialog (for example, Home > Font dialog launcher).
    • Set a consistent Font and Size for all translated text.
    • If characters appear clipped or lines get extra spacing when you increase the size, reduce the font size slightly so it is smaller than the line spacing value (for example, if line spacing is Exactly 12 pt, use 11 pt font). This avoids characters being cut off or forcing unexpected extra spacing.
    1. Avoid mixed or complex formatting in the translated block
    • Apply a single paragraph style (for example, a custom style for Khmer) that defines font, size, and line spacing.
    • Avoid mixing different fonts or sizes within the same paragraph, as this can cause uneven line spacing and visual size differences.
    1. Check for font‑specific issues
    • If a particular Khmer font is used, test another Khmer‑compatible font to see if the spacing/size issue persists. Some fonts can render differently after platform or rendering updates.
    1. If the issue started recently
    • Since this resembles a rendering change after an update (similar to the documented Cambria layout change after a Windows update), ensure the latest Office and Windows updates are installed. Layout issues introduced by updates are sometimes corrected by subsequent fixes.

    If, after these steps, the Khmer text still appears abnormally small or creates excessive spacing only when translated (but not when manually typed in the same font/size), capture a small sample document and open a support case so it can be investigated as a potential regression in the translation or rendering pipeline.

    References:

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