# Can I create text tools?

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404>\
**Category:** Processing\
**Created:** [November 10, 2018, 12:38pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404 "2018-11-10T12:38:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![seo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/seo/32/2034_2.png) [@seo](https://discourse.processing.org/u/seo)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2018, 12:38pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404/1 "2018-11-10T12:38:54Z")

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![wyreeywr](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/processingfoundation1/original/2X/4/41119e55d2669d95a897ace672a62fc23a8a8b18.png)

Here is a text tool for MS Paint. Can you do something like this in processing?

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**Author:** ![Lexyth](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/lexyth/32/7403_2.png) [@Lexyth](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Lexyth)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404/2 "2018-11-10T13:20:26Z")

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Yes you can. You could do it with either text() or actually use the TextArea class.

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**Author:** ![seo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/seo/32/2034_2.png) [@seo](https://discourse.processing.org/u/seo)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2018, 1:43pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404/3 "2018-11-10T13:43:16Z")

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Thank you for your kind reply. However, I hope to create a new text area when I click and drag.

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**Author:** ![TfGuy44](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/tfguy44/32/41_2.png) [@TfGuy44](https://discourse.processing.org/u/TfGuy44)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404/4 "2018-11-10T16:39:39Z")

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Let’s be clear about this: Processing can do this. But when we say that it can do it, we mean that it provides you with the ability to draw whatever you like inside your sketch. We do not mean that it is going to provide you a built-in menu system and font selector magically somehow - it is up to you to make it! In short, the sketch provides you with a lower-level access to drawing. It does not provide the higher-level, instant-UI-making capabilities that some other tools might!

Of course, there are some libraries that will provide basic UI elements…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![seo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/seo/32/2034_2.png) [@seo](https://discourse.processing.org/u/seo)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404/5 "2018-11-10T16:47:11Z")

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Thank you for your kind reply. I want to find some cool examples, but it’s not easy.  
I will reply someday if I do it! Thank you!

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**Author:** ![kll](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/kll/32/964_2.png) [@kll](https://discourse.processing.org/u/kll)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/can-i-create-text-tools/5404/6 "2018-11-10T18:28:57Z")

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take a look at  
processing 3.4  
/file/examples/  
/contributed libraries/G4P/G4P\_TextAreaControl

after install:  
/tools/add tool/  
tab libraries  
G4P 4.1.5