However, it always appears on the screen in a somewhat narrow (not incredibly so) window. I would like to be able to define the width of the item, yet I cannot seem to determine how to do so. Any advice?
This is a kindergarten way of changing the display dialog appearance
display dialog "This is a long skinny rectangle"
display dialog return & return & return & return & return & " This is a box with the text centered" & return & return & return & return & return & return
SC
Here’s another thought on decreasing the width ; archaic and silly, but why not?
If you want to display a short string in a small box, how about
set thislist to {"A short string"}
choose from list thislist with prompt ""
--Compared to a display dialog box
display dialog "For contrast"