# Dev Diary Ep41 - New Text Editor Update **URL:** \ **Category:** Elements\ **Created:** [October 15, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977 "2024-10-15T18:53:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dan](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/dan/32/28516_2.png) [@dan](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/dan)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/1 "2024-10-15T18:53:50Z")
Hello again, This week we’re taking at look at the new inline text editor. While the UI isn’t finished, it was all based on the feedback you gave us a few weeks ago. I think it’s shaping up to be rather nice 🎉 Watch today’s video below and give us your feedback, is this what you need? Do other web editors do it better? Text is the most important thing on a website, so we want to make sure this kicks-ass 💪 btw. The changes we’re making with the text engine and the new V2 Components require a little longer in the over, so there probably won’t be a new beta this week, sorry! [![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/realmacsoftware1/original/3X/8/7/87bd09b9bda1785138af3ba7bcf254b709c1247c.jpeg "Dev Diary Ep41 — New Text Editor Update") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH9pGbz7XdQ) ## Thanks We’re listening to all your feedback and working super hard to make Elements the perfect website builder. 😊 See you next week 👋 Thanks, Dan & Team Realmac. ---
**Author:** ![sbchasin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/sbchasin/32/26943_2.png) [@sbchasin](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/sbchasin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/2 "2024-10-15T19:06:02Z")
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Yes. Can’t wait. Especially for links. Thank you!! ---
**Author:** ![upssjw](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/upssjw/32/26063_2.png) [@upssjw](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/upssjw)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/3 "2024-10-15T19:18:55Z")
Is the menu part of the new menu ---
**Author:** ![paulcruice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f0a364/32.png) [@paulcruice](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/paulcruice)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/4 "2024-10-15T19:22:56Z")
Dan, will I be able to flow text through columns? Very important for information web sites. ---
**Author:** ![anon68150607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@anon68150607](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/anon68150607)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/5 "2024-10-15T19:35:58Z")
Thanks @Dan! I _think_ this is going in the right direction, but as you say, it’s very bare bones right now. IMO having to have the [Tailwind CSS docs](https://tailwindcss.com/docs/installation) open to format and style text by adding classes isn’t a great user experience. Looking forward to seeing it when it’s more polished. On thing that might help when formatting text is to be able to see the text runs/spans in the node inspector as children of the text element. This way you can quickly get an idea of what text has additional properties or attributes applied to it, as well as providing a quick way of selecting the desired text itself — instead of always having to drag to select (ie. selecting the child node in the node editor also selects the entire same text span in the visual WYSIWYG editor). ---
**Author:** ![handshaper](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/handshaper/32/27373_2.png) [@handshaper](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/handshaper)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/6 "2024-10-15T19:46:12Z")
It seems from watching this that the only way you can mix fonts in a block of text is by using Tailwind classes, is this correct? This seems a little user unfriendly, maybe there should be a font option in the properties that are displayed when editing the selected text. ---
**Author:** ![Flash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f475e1/32.png) [@Flash](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Flash)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/7 "2024-10-15T19:54:20Z")
When I think of a full featured text editor, all these controls need to be there. > **[Fundamental text and font styling - Learn web development | MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/CSS/Styling_text/Fundamentals)** > > We hope you enjoyed playing with text in this article! The next article will provide you with all you need to know about styling HTML lists. ---
**Author:** ![anon68150607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@anon68150607](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/anon68150607)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/8 "2024-10-15T19:55:17Z")
Yup. Again please look at Apple Pages and Sketch. ---
**Author:** ![Flash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f475e1/32.png) [@Flash](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Flash)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/9 "2024-10-15T19:59:03Z")
@dan to answer your question directly, yes, the editor in the sidebar is perfect, fill it up with tools! And…. GO! ---
**Author:** ![Bill](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/bill/32/107_2.png) [@Bill](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Bill)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/10 "2024-10-15T20:17:09Z")
@dan Is that text editor a separate component or something that dynamically opens on certain component types? ---
**Author:** ![pumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@pumpkin](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/pumpkin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/11 "2024-10-15T22:27:34Z")
I too think that more typography controls could be added. But don’t overload it. The animation, transition on hover etc. is nice, but I’m not sure if controls for those should be added. That’s what the class field is for imho. And why not have a little link in the sidebar below the classes area, that opens the tailwind docs typography section? That link might even go below every classes field for quick access. ---
**Author:** ![anon68150607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@anon68150607](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/anon68150607)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/12 "2024-10-15T22:31:18Z")
> [@pumpkin](#): > > The animation, transition on hover etc. is nice, but I’m not sure if controls for those should be added. I agree. Ideally I’d like to see these able to be added as modifiers and effects, that can be combined as required, much like is possible in Sketch. ---
**Author:** ![trinube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@trinube](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/trinube)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 12:58am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/13 "2024-10-16T00:58:00Z")
I think the basics are pretty well covered and I’d be happy with being able to access bold, italic, underline and text colour. Being able to change the font of a word without a class would be good but if it’s well documented it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Adding every possible option would be like going back to the early days of desktop publishing where people were using every font and style possible - just because they could - and creating horribles messes. Personally I’d like to see a classes/snippet library which is tucked away until someone decides they need to ‘code’ some extra modifications. Just like Dan used his notepad in the demo to hold a few classes, this would be a nice inclusion with a handful of code snippets which could easily be added to the classes area as needed. It could come wth a few standard classes but could be added to be the user. ---
**Author:** ![trinube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@trinube](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/trinube)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/14 "2024-10-16T01:00:25Z")
It looked like it became available as text (as opposed to an object) was selected. I could be wrong though… ---
**Author:** ![Flash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f475e1/32.png) [@Flash](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Flash)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/15 "2024-10-16T01:43:47Z")
> [@trinube](#): > > Adding every possible option would be like going back to the early days of desktop publishing where people were using every font and style possible - just because they could - and creating horribles messes I know I put that in there. Please know I never expected that @dan would add it all. However, the most common used design elements should be included as shortcuts rather than the need to use copy-paste classes. Update: I know it’s been said a lot. But look at Apple Pages. That is the correct list of features in my opinion— text and paragraph styling and spacing. I understand the goal is to get things to match up with the core of TailwindCSS. However for some things having an override option would be ideal. Maybe add a warning or note that says manual overrides slightly increase file sizes with each use. ---
**Author:** ![jscotta](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/jscotta/32/26082_2.png) [@jscotta](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/jscotta)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 2:39am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/16 "2024-10-16T02:39:42Z")
Since there is such a commitment to Tailwind, why not have some sort of pop-up or there device that shows the relevant Tailwind classes so that a user can just select it? Before you all pass out that I didn’t mention AI here it is. Provide a chatbot for the class field that is linked to the Tailwind docs. A user can describe what they want to happen and the chatbot can suggest the proper class. ---
**Author:** ![Flash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f475e1/32.png) [@Flash](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/Flash)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/17 "2024-10-16T02:40:55Z")
> [@jscotta](#): > > Before you all pass out that I didn’t mention AI here it is. 😆 now that was funny. ---
**Author:** ![bjarne.larsen](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/bjarne.larsen/32/26860_2.png) [@bjarne.larsen](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/bjarne.larsen)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 11:16am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/18 "2024-10-16T11:16:32Z")
Hi Dan. The test editor looks great. And though I’m not able to write HTML, it seems to work alright with the tailwind-ccs classes. But I do agree with this comment: > [@trinube](#): > > Just like Dan used his notepad in the demo to hold a few classes, this would be a nice inclusion with a handful of code snippets which could easily be added to the classes area as needed. It could come wth a few standard classes but could be added to be the user. Will •-text and paragraf be an option? Bjarne ---
**Author:** ![dan](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/dan/32/28516_2.png) [@dan](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/dan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/19 "2024-10-16T14:12:20Z")
Thanks for all the feedback, it was super interesting to hear what everyone wants from text editing 😅 We’re going to continue building out the feature set of the text editing engine a little further, but it’s never going to be a fully fledged word-processor (and nor should it be). It will however, be very flexible and hopefully it’ll achieve most of what you want to do within a block of text. We have bigger plans than we have time to implement right now. This is why features like the classes area is just a text box and not a tokenized auto-completing class manager. It’s things like this that we can “upgrade” to later once we’ve shipped Elements. Right now it’s about getting a usable product out the door, and I think the sooner we do that the better! ---
**Author:** ![dan](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/dan/32/28516_2.png) [@dan](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/dan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977/20 "2024-10-16T14:13:07Z")
> [@bjarne.larsen](#): > > Will •-text and paragraf be an option? Hmmm, perhaps, you mean heading and paragraph? [Next page](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/dev-diary-ep41-new-text-editor-update/44977.md?page=2)