Format text

The following tasks are useful when editing text format, including changing fonts, moving the text insertion point, and adjusting kerning. For a complete list of available controls, see Format controls in the Text Inspector.

Resize text

Do any of the following:

  • Change font size: Drag the Size slider in the Basic Formatting controls.

  • Scale the text: Drag the Scale slider in the Advanced Formatting controls.

    Click the disclosure triangle to reveal separate X and Y Scale controls.

    Note: To scale the text as a layer, select text, then drag a scale handle in the Canvas.

Rotate or shear text

In the Advanced Formatting controls, do any of the following:

  • Rotate text characters: Adjust the Rotation dial.

    Click the disclosure triangle to expose separate X, Y, and Z Rotation controls.

  • Shear text characters: Drag the Slant slider.

Kern text characters

  1. In the toolbar, click the Text tool (or press T).

    Text tool in toolbar
  2. In the Canvas, position the insertion point (click the mouse button) between the characters to kern, then do one of the following:

    • In the Format pane of the Text Inspector, drag the Kerning slider or adjacent value slider to set a kerning value.

    • Press Option–Command–Right Bracket (]) to increase the space between characters by one-pixel increments.

      Canvas showing text being kerned
    • Press Option–Command–Left Bracket ([) to reduce the space between characters by one-pixel increments.