7.1.4 | Working with Text

Notability-Nibbles-Banner.png

There are several ways you can add text to your notes.

 

Notability Nibbles 04. Working with Text — 4:57
The steps below mirror the video above.

Working with the Text Tool

You have a few ways to add typewritten text to your Notes. You do this with the Text ToolNN-Icons-Text.png

  1. Create another new note and name it Working with Text.

Text on the Page

  1. Tap the Text Tool at the top, then tap anywhere on the page.
    • The Keyboard will appear, and you can start typing.
  2. When you tap the text tool on the page and start typing like this, the text will fill the page from left to right, and will automatically wrap to the next line. 
    • You will not be able to drag any text entered in this manner to another location in the note. 
      • Click the Text Tool on the Page
  3. You can change the formatting of the text by selecting it, then making changes.
    • One way to select text is to tap inside one word, then tap Select (or Select All) from the menu that appears.
      •  Click and Select Text
  4. You can drag the Selection Handles at either side of the selection to adjust the selection. 
      • Drag Selection Handles
  5. Change the Font, Type Size, Color and Style of the selected text using the controls across the top of the keyboard. 
      • 04NN-_0003_Change-Format-of-Selected-Text.png
  6. You can also select one word by double-tapping on a word. 
      • Double click to select one word
  7. Put the Keyboard away by tapping the bottom-right key on the keyboard, which puts the keyboard away. You can also select the Pencil or other tool. 
      • 04NN-_0005_Format-any-selected-text.png

+Text Box

  1. Instead of clicking the text tool on a clear part of the page, this time press and hold in an open area (away from other text).
  2. A Menu appears — tap +Text Box
    • This adds a text box that you can enter text into, then adjust the size and position of the text container at any time..
      • Add a Text Box
    • Enter and format your text as desired. Notice that it stays within the text box boundaries, instead of filling the page.
    • Tap the Close Keyboard button at the bottom right when you're finished.
      • Add a Text Box
  3. With the Text Tool, you can resize the text box by dragging any of the corner handles. The text will automatically wrap to stay within the box. 
    • Be careful not to make the box too small for your text to fit! Otherwise it will disappear.
      • Resize and Move the Text Box
  4. Also with the Text Tool, tap and hold the top middle handle to move the text box around.
    • Be careful not to make the box too small for your text to fit! Otherwise it will disappear.
    • Drag the small round handle on the right side to rotate the text box. 
      • 04NN-_0009_Rotate-Text-Box.png

Drag to Draw a Text Box

    • Another way to create a text box is to turn on the Drag Text Box Feature.
    • Tap on the Text tool to display a pop-up menu.
    • Turn on Draw Text Box
      • Drag to Draw Text Boxes
    • Now, instead of clicking and holding to select +Text Box, simply drag from the top left to bottom right to draw a text box on the page.
    • This allows you to make the box the size you want without having to adjust it afterward.
      • Draw a Text Box
    • Enter, format, and position the text as you would with any text box.

 

A few notes that may help:

  • You almost always want to use Text Boxes. 
    • This gives you the flexibility to adjust the text position at any time.
    • If you want to type a 3 page paper, Notability may not be the best tool.
      • Google Docs is great for typing term papers, and is designed for edge-to-edge text.
  • If something doesn't seem to work, make sure you have the correct tool and have selected the correct item on the page. 
    • For example, you cannot edit or add text unless you are using the Text Tool and you have clicked on the text or text box to select it.
  • Be careful not to click the text tool on a blank part of the page to deselect your text or text box — get in the habit of selecting a different tool instead. Otherwise, you will open the keyboard, ready to start entering text from the left to right edges of the page.