Word on iPad Pro - How do I stop the pencil drawing when I want to type?

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Word on iPad Pro - How do I stop the pencil drawing when I want to type?

Geektastic

12151 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3965

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Topic # 230266 15-Feb-2018 22:10

So I am trying to type something in Word on a current model iPad Pro.

So far, so normal. Now. Imagine you have a few paras done, read it through and decide to make some additions in the middle of one of the paragraphs.

I figured you’d just touch where you wanted the cursor to go with the Apple Pencil and then type - seems logical.

No. The pencil instantly draws lines and marks where you touch the screen and the cursor does not budge a millimeter.

I cannot work out how to stop what appears to be an immensely stupid behaviour.

Anyone know how to make it behave normally?!

Senecio

325 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 176

Reply # 1958912 16-Feb-2018 08:36

I've not used a Pro with a pencil but on most IOS systems you simply touch and hold with a finger for a few seconds. A magnifying glass pops up and it gives you the ability to move around to place the cursor exactly where you want it. Don't know if it will work with the pen or you need to use a finger.

Benjip

565 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 186

Subscriber

Reply # 1958919 16-Feb-2018 09:04

One person supports this post

Have you tried touching with your finger (rather than the Pencil)?

Failing that, see if there's a "Draw" tab at the top that you might have selected, that's how it works with OneNote on the iPad Pro (in Draw mode it's strictly drawing with the Pencil, there's no typing etc.).

antoniosk

1777 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 406

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1958984 16-Feb-2018 10:10

In the menu at the top is an option called 'DRAW'.

Deselect the pen icon by choosing 'Select Objects' and the system reverts to normal stylus input. double tap to position cursor

It's not as slick as some other apps but that seems ok

________

Antonios K

Geektastic

12151 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3965

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1959200 16-Feb-2018 15:16

antoniosk:

In the menu at the top is an option called 'DRAW'.

Deselect the pen icon by choosing 'Select Objects' and the system reverts to normal stylus input. double tap to position cursor

It's not as slick as some other apps but that seems ok

Ah - yes. That works. What a silly way of setting it up. I would have thought that in a word processing app, the principle requirement would be typing and thus moving the cursor rather than drawing. It should be possible to set the default, at least.

Thanks!