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Atext box, also called aninput box,text field ortext entry box, is a control element of agraphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to enter text for processing by a program.[1][2]
A typical text box is a rectangle, possibly with a border that separates the text box from the rest of the interface. Text boxes may contain horizontal and verticalscrollbars. Text boxes usually display atext cursor (commonly a blinking vertical line), indicating the current region of text being edited. It is common for themousecursor to change its shape when it hovers over a text box.[3]
Although most operating systems and GUI frameworks provide text box controls with extensive built-in functionality, some applications, such as video games, may implement simplified versions.
When keys are pressed on a keyboard, the text is added at the caret location. Some very simple text boxes may not show a caret, which would suggest that new characters typed in will appear at the end of the current text.
Using a mouse:
Using the keyboard:
Work in insert or overwrite mode, typically switched usingInsert key. In insert mode if there is a character to the right of the caret, the new character will be inserted before it, while in overwrite mode typing a new character will replace (overwrite) the character to the right of the caret position.
Typing in text while some part of the text already entered is selected will replace the selected text.
Delete /←Backspace keys remove one character right / left of current caret position, while pressing them together with theCtrl orcommand key removes one word.
Edit the text using standardclipboard operations.
Edits can beundone andredone withCtrl+Z /Ctrl+Y (Windows) or⌘ Command+Z /⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+Z (Mac OS)
The term "text box" is also used intypography,desktop publishing andprint design to describe a visually distinct container for text. These text boxes are typically bordered or shaded regions used to highlight quotations, sidebars or supplementary information. They are common inmagazines,newspapers,textbooks andtechnical documentation. This usage predates digital interfaces and remains common in print and layout design, although it may also be used inwebsite design.
In this context, a text box may: