Set Ink preferences

My handwriting is

Identify your handwriting as closely or widely spaced.

Allow me to Ink in any application

Write in any app when handwriting recognition is on and a graphics tablet is connected. When deselected, you can write only in the Ink pad or in apps that are compatible with Ink, such as inkBook.

Pen options

Pause momentarily to switch to mousing: Press the stylus to the tablet and hold it still to signal you want to use the stylus as a mouse.

Hold lower button to Ink and Hold upper button to Ink: The pen operates as a mouse except when you hold down the lower or upper button to write. Make sure you turn off any actions for the barrel button you choose in your tablet’s preferences.

Allow me to Ink above the tablet surface: Write in the air above the tablet. You must select one of the button preferences to use this feature.

Ink pad font

Select a font to use in the Ink pad.

Apple Casual is a good choice because its shapes are similar to those Ink uses for comparison when recognizing handwriting.

Show Ink window

Automatically display the Ink window when you turn on handwriting recognition.

Show Ink in menu bar

The Ink menu provides quick access to the Ink window and Ink preferences.

Restore Defaults

Replace current settings with the default settings.

Options

Recognize my handwriting after: A short delay can make it easier to work with apps that have many buttons and controls. A long delay can make it easier to write. If Ink recognizes words before you finish them, move the slider toward “Long delay.”

Start inking after the pen moves: If Ink begins writing even when you reposition the pen only slightly, move the slider toward “Long distance.”

Use pen as mouse after: Sets how long you must hold the pen still before using it as a mouse.

Recognize my handwriting when the pen moves away from the tablet: After Ink recognizes your handwriting, it inserts text or graphics into your document.

Language

The language you usually use to write.

Recognize Western European characters

Recognize language-specific marks, such as accent marks.

Gestures

The gestures you can use as shortcuts when writing or for performing common functions, and how to write the gestures. Deselect gestures you don’t want to use.

Add, Edit, Delete

Add unusual words that you use often to the list that Ink uses to recognize handwriting.

Change or delete words that you added.

Revert

Replace the current word list with the default list.

Save

Keep changes you made to the word list.