How to Use the Handwriting Keyboard in Windows 8.1

Ever since Microsoft first added the ability for users to interact with Windows machines using their fingers and a stylus, the company has been on a mission to make the text upload process as easy as possible on the platform. In Windows 7, the touch keyboard has been slightly redesigned. It went back to the drawing board in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, and integrated a handwriting keyboard directly into the keyboard for the Desktop and Windows Store apps and the Start Screen.

The handwriting keyboard in Windows 8 is different from touch keyboards as you know. It does not come with separate keys for users to tap and add spaces. It includes autocorrect and users can quickly enter letters and numbers in any app they open with just a few swipes. The handwriting keyboard in Windows 8.1 is a giant black rectangle with two blank lines stretching horizontally above it, where users can type only what they want to put in.

Here’s how to use the handwriting keyboard in Windows 8.1.

Unlike most features, the handwriting keyboard hasn’t changed much between the initial release of Windows 8 and the free Windows 8.1 update now available to users via the Windows Store. Therefore, you don’t necessarily need to do this update before taking advantage of the features seen here. However, if you haven’t already, it’s still a good idea to go ahead and download the Windows 8.1 update. It includes tons of new features and going forward update will be required for any feature upgrade and patch. To find out if you have Windows 8.1, go to the Windows Store on the Start Screen and look for the banner that says “Update to Windows 8.1”. If you don’t see this banner on your device, you already have the update.

Opening the handwriting keyboard in Windows Store apps is fast and efficient. Mostly this is because these apps automatically open the standard keyboard when users tap on a text field. Go to the Start Screen and open any app where you want to enter text. In this example, we are typing a web address in Internet Explorer.

With the keyboard open, tap the button on the keyboard. Tap the icon that looks like Pen and stylus from the drop-down menu. It is the second button from the right in the drop-down menu.

You have now enabled the handwriting Keyboard on your touch Windows 8 device. Going forward, this keyboard will be triggered automatically when you try to enter text by touch. Enter text by typing exactly what you want to enter on both lines. Your device must support a pen for the keyboard to work, just typing with your finger will work too. Tap on specific words to auto-correct or detect as you see fit. Understands keyboard, cursive and cursive writing. Numbers, letters and symbols work too. To delete a word, simply cross it out; Your Windows 8 device will uninstall it. You don’t have to manually type all the characters, users can use the buttons to the right of the two lines to enter symbols and numbers. Tap on add when you’re ready to add this text to the app you’re in.

By setting the keyboard in the Start Screen apps, you also enable it on the Desktop. It can be accessed by tapping the keyboard icon in the system tray.

Before you start using the handwritten keyboard of Windows 8, it’s important to remember a few things. The first important thing is that you can switch between the keyboard and the standard QWERTY keyboard whenever you want by repeating the first few steps of this process. It’s also important to understand the limitations of the handwriting keyboard. Users who use fairly fast touch typists will definitely find the handwriting keyboard a bit lacking. Often, this is because they will feel like they are not typing as much as they would if they had a real keyboard in their hands. This is probably because they have learned to type faster than they can how. Typing long paragraphs can be a bit of a challenge with this keyboard because typing wears out your arm pretty quickly.

Finally, the most important thing to remember is that this is one of those features that is strictly limited to tablets, desktops, and touch-enabled convertibles. Devices without an output cannot access this keyboard, to say nothing of its usefulness.

If you don’t have a device that comes with a stylus, you may find that purchasing a multi-touch stylus makes your handwriting keyboard experience more enjoyable. Usually a good stylus costs around $10. If your device came with a pen, you will find the keyboard very easy to use instead. The handwriting keyboard supports custom buttons on the user’s pen. For example, Surface Pro users can erase any text they’ve added by running the back of their pencil over the keyboard, as with a standard pencil eraser.