Home > Designing and creating solutions > Creating and managing layouts and reports > Drawing and inserting objects on a layout > Adding text to a layout

Adding text to a layout

Adding text to a layout makes the layout easier to use and understand. Use text for:

•	field labels for fields. (You also have the option of creating a field label using the field’s name when you place a field on a layout.)

•	column headings in columnar reports.

•	instructions on a form.

•	a form letter, with merge fields displaying data.

•	the current date, page number, or record number.

Note  To add or change text in your database fields, switch to Browse mode. For more information, see Adding and viewing data.

To type text on a layout:

1.	In Layout mode, click the Text tool in the status toolbar.

You can also choose Insert menu > Graphic Object > Text.

2.	With the I-beam pointer, do one of the following:

•	Click where you want to add text, which creates a small text block that enlarges when you type text into it.

•	Drag to define the maximum line length for the text.

You see a blinking insertion point.

3.	Type the text.

To set text formatting options such as font, style, line spacing, text color, and alignment, see Formatting text.

Notes

•	Text blocks that are typed or pasted onto a layout are objects, which you can manipulate in the same way as any other object. For example, you can assign a background color or border, or rotate a text object. For more information, see Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background.

•	Although you can add text anywhere on a layout, the layout part where you place the text determines how the text appears in Browse mode or Preview mode (for example, once for each record, only at the top of the report, and so on). For more information on layout parts, see About layout part types.

•	You can also use placeholder text within a field (for example, to add a field name or special instructions). See Adding and changing field labels.

•	To type text that fills another object, select the object and begin to type (without clicking the Text tool). The text is positioned in front of the object and conforms to its shape.

•	To enter many individual text blocks at once, double-click the Text tool to lock it. The Text tool remains active until you click another tool. (You can also set a preference to always lock a tool when you select it. For more information, see Setting layout preferences.)

•	To create a form letter, create a Blank layout, and then use the Text tool to create a large text block for the letter. Type the text of your letter, and insert merge fields for fields like name and address. For more information, see Creating a layout and Placing merge fields on a layout.

•	To see nonprinting boundaries to help you align text with other objects, Choose View menu > Show > Text Boundaries. For more information, see Showing text or field boundaries.

•	When you add new text to a layout (using the Text tool ), FileMaker Pro applies the appropriate layout part text style to the text. See Creating and working with styles for layout objects, parts, and the layout background.

Related topics 

Specifying paragraph attributes and tab settings