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In August, Google was spotted preparing to add stylus handwriting support to Gboard. The new feature is now rolling out to users. It lets you write with the stylus in any text field as long as your device supports stylus input. Google’s best keyboard app for Android will automatically convert your handwriting to text.
Gboard gains stylus handwriting support
Gboard has long offered a handwriting keyboard. When selected, it opens a blank panel in place of the regular on-screen keyboard. Anything you write within this space—using a stylus or directly with your fingers—is converted to text. However, you cannot write directly in the text field. You also cannot use hand gestures for text editing tools such as delete and select.
The new feature is essentially a full-blown handwriting keyboard. Not only can you write in any text field without opening a separate blank panel but you get gesture-enabled editing tools as well. You can scratch out a letter, word, or phrase with the stylus to delete it. Likewise, drawing a circle around it will select it. Drawing a caret or arrow between two words lets you insert a new word there.
If you want to insert a space between two letters or erase the space to merge two words, simply draw a vertical line. Lastly, to start a new line, you can draw down and then left (create an “Enter” icon) with your stylus within the text field. The latest version of the Gboard app has a “Write in text fields” menu in the settings where you can control the speed and stroke width of your handwriting.
When using the stylus handwriting feature, Gboard will display a floating toolbar on the screen with Delete, Enter, and Emoji buttons as well as a hamburger key. The latter notes your current language (if more than one is selected) and offers shortcuts to settings, handwriting demo, on-screen keyboard (mini floating keyboard), clipboard, translate, and language picker.
The new feature is rolling out to users
Stylus handwriting support on Gboard started rolling out to users recently. 9to5Google confirms the availability of the feature in beta version 13.7 of the app. It works on the Pixel Tablet and recent Samsung tablets running Android 14, including the Galaxy Tab S8. The feature also works on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which supports stylus input. Google’s Pixel Fold doesn’t support stylus input, so it misses out on the new Gboard feature.
Gboard is finally starting to roll out stylus handwriting support — here’s a first look on the Pixel Tablet!
This feature lets you write in text fields and use gestures to select, insert, delete, join words, or add a new line. You also get a floating toolbar for quick access to… pic.twitter.com/DkxMk5Hay7
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) December 16, 2023
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