Formatting Text
Inkweld provides formatting options to structure and style your creative writing. All formatting is accessed through the editor toolbar.
Character Formatting
Basic Styles
Apply these styles using the toolbar buttons:
| Style | Toolbar Button | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | Bold button | Ctrl/Cmd + B |
| Italic | Italic button | Ctrl/Cmd + I |
| Underline | Underline button | Ctrl/Cmd + U |
| Strikethrough button | — |
When to Use Each
- Bold: Key terms, warnings, important information
- Italic: Internal thoughts, foreign words, titles of works, emphasis
- Underline: Rarely used in fiction; consider alternatives
- Strikethrough: Showing edits, crossed-out items in notes
Combining Styles
You can combine multiple styles:
- Bold and italic for strong emphasis
- Apply styles in any order
Headings
Structure your documents with headings using the paragraph style dropdown in the toolbar.
Available Heading Levels
| Level | Usage |
|---|---|
| Heading 1 | Document/chapter title |
| Heading 2 | Major sections |
| Heading 3 | Subsections |
| Heading 4-6 | Additional hierarchy if needed |
| Paragraph | Normal body text |
Best Practices
- Use Heading 1 once per document (the title)
- Use Heading 2 for major divisions (scenes, sections)
- Use Heading 3 for sub-divisions if needed
- Don't skip levels (e.g., H1 → H3)
Scene Breaks vs. Headings
For fiction, consider:
- Headings: When you want visible section titles
- Horizontal rules: For scene breaks without titles
Text Alignment
Align text using the alignment buttons in the toolbar:
- Left align (default)
- Center — for titles, poetry, or centered content
- Right align — for signatures, dates, or right-aligned elements
- Justify — for formal documents
Lists
Bullet Lists
Use for unordered items:
- Character traits
- Location features
- Plot points to address
Create with the bullet list button in the toolbar.
Numbered Lists
Use for ordered sequences:
- First event
- Second event
- Third event
Create with the numbered list button in the toolbar.
Nested Lists
Indent list items to create hierarchy:
- Main point
- Supporting detail
- Another detail
Use the keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl/Cmd + ]to indentCtrl/Cmd + [to outdent
Block Quotes
Use block quotes for:
- Quotations from other sources
- Epigraphs at chapter starts
- Letters or documents within your story
- Emphasis on key passages
"The only way out is through." — Robert Frost
Create with the quote button in the toolbar.
Horizontal Rules
Insert a horizontal rule for:
- Scene breaks
- Thematic breaks
- Section dividers
Create with the horizontal rule button in the toolbar.
Links
Inserting Links
- Select the text you want to link
- Click the link button in the toolbar
- Enter the URL in the prompt
- Press Enter to confirm
To remove a link, select the linked text, click the link button, and clear the URL.
Internal Element Links
Use @mentions to link to project elements:
- Type
@in the editor - Search for a character, location, or document
- Select from the dropdown
See Element References for details.
Inline Code
For technical terms or code-like text, use the inline code shortcut:
- `Ctrl/Cmd + `` (backtick)
This applies monospace formatting to selected text.
Clearing Formatting
To remove all formatting from text:
- Select the formatted text
- Click the "Clear Formatting" button in the toolbar
This removes bold, italic, underline, and other character formatting, returning text to normal paragraph style.
Paragraphs and Spacing
Paragraph Breaks
- Press Enter for a new paragraph
- Paragraphs have automatic spacing
Line Breaks
- Press Shift + Enter for a line break without paragraph spacing
- Useful for poetry or addresses
Undo and Redo
Made a mistake? Use the undo/redo buttons or keyboard shortcuts:
- Undo:
Ctrl/Cmd + Z - Redo:
Ctrl + Y(Windows/Linux) orCmd + Shift + Z(macOS)
Next: Local-First Design - Your work saves locally first, then syncs when connected.