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Selecting Text Using Pages on an iPad

How do you select text using Pages on an iPad – your finger obscures the cursor so that it’s difficult to position? Google docs creates a bubble by the side of your finger with a magnified view of the text and cursor. Surely this is an oversight.

iPad, iPadOS 14

Posted on Oct 6, 2021 12:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 6, 2021 1:34 PM

You have the option to use the onscreen keyboard as a trackpad. To position the cursor tap the page with a single tap, then place two fingers simultaneously on the onscreen keyboard. Slide the two fingers to move the cursor to where you want it. To select text double-tap a word, then place two fingers simultaneously on the onscreen keyboard. Slide the two fingers to move a selection handle to where you want it. In either case once the keyboard has turned into a trackpad, you can slide the two fingers off it to navigate the page while positioning the cursor or selecting text. Lift the two fingers to exit trackpad mode.


The iPad User Guide describes another method:

Use the method that works best for you.

8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 6, 2021 1:34 PM in response to Adamglyn

You have the option to use the onscreen keyboard as a trackpad. To position the cursor tap the page with a single tap, then place two fingers simultaneously on the onscreen keyboard. Slide the two fingers to move the cursor to where you want it. To select text double-tap a word, then place two fingers simultaneously on the onscreen keyboard. Slide the two fingers to move a selection handle to where you want it. In either case once the keyboard has turned into a trackpad, you can slide the two fingers off it to navigate the page while positioning the cursor or selecting text. Lift the two fingers to exit trackpad mode.


The iPad User Guide describes another method:

Use the method that works best for you.

Oct 6, 2021 6:10 AM in response to Adamglyn

It looks like Apple did not include the text magnifier in their own apps.

I just tested this.

That stated you CAN zoom into your document some, tap on a piece of text and simply grab the lower blue drag dot, instead, to select text.

Doing that you will be able to still see your text.


You can send Apple feedback about this issue here.

Tap the link below.


https://www.apple.com/feedback/pages-ios-ipados.html


Selecting Text Using Pages on an iPad

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