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# Text elements

> Create Sigma text elements with preset or custom styles, dynamic formulas, links, and labels for workbook page headers and titles.

Text elements add labels, headers, footers, and titles to workbook pages. You can use both preset styles and custom text styles. Text elements can be formatted to change their color, font style, font size, and can also display text dynamically using a formula.

## User requirements

To add and edit text elements:

* You must have **Can edit** or **Can explore** [access](/docs/folder-and-document-permissions#document-permissions) to the individual workbook.
* You must be in **Edit** or **Explore** mode for the workbook. See [workbook modes overview](/docs/workbook-modes-overview).

## Create a text element

To add a text element to a workbook:

1. In the **Add element** bar, select **UI** > **Text**. The new text element appears on the page. By default, when you create a text element, the **Medium paragraph** preset style is applied.

2. Begin typing to enter text.

3. (Optional) Use the toolbar at the top of the page to add custom formatting or select ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/link.svg) **Link** to add a link. See [Add a link to text](#add-a-link-to-text).

4. (Optional) Drag and drop the text element to move it anywhere on the page canvas.

## Add a link to text

To turn text in a text element into a link:

1. In the text element, select the text you want to link.

2. In the toolbar, select ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/link.svg) **Link**, or press <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>K</kbd> (Mac) or <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>K</kbd> (Windows).

3. In the **Link** field, enter the destination. Sigma supports the following link schemes:

   | Scheme          | Opens                                                                           |
   | :-------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
   | `http`, `https` | A webpage in the browser.                                                       |
   | `mailto`        | A new message in the default mail app. For example, `mailto:sales@example.com`. |
   | `tel`           | The default phone or dialer app. For example, `tel:+15551234567`.               |
   | `sms`           | The default messaging app. For example, `sms:+15551234567`.                     |

   If a link doesn't start with one of these schemes, Sigma treats it as a web address and adds `http://` to the beginning.

4. (Optional) Click **Try link** to test the destination.

5. (Optional) To open a web link in a new browser tab or window, select **Open in new window**.

   **Open in new window** is unavailable for `mailto`, `tel`, and `sms` links. These links always open in place, because the mail, phone, or messaging app on the device handles them.

6. Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> on your keyboard to apply the link.

To build a link from a control value, inject the control into the **Link** field. For example, `mailto:{{email-control}}` builds the address from a control named `email-control`. See [Workbook control values in the URL](/docs/workbook-control-values-in-the-url).

## Use preset text styles

To switch from one preset style to another preset style:

1. Select your text element and ensure the text is highlighted.
2. From the toolbar above, select your desired preset from the dropdown menu. The available presets are: **Large heading**, **Medium heading**, **Small heading**, **Large paragraph**, **Medium paragraph**, and **Small paragraph**.
3. Select color, bold, and italics options in the toolbar to further customize this preset text style.

To use more customized text styles, see [Customize text typeface and size](#customize-text-typeface-and-size).

## Customize text typeface and size

To apply a specific typeface or size option instead of using one of the preset styles:

1. Select your text element and ensure the text is highlighted.
2. In the toolbar, select ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/link-break.svg) **Break style**.
3. Select your desired typeface from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter your desired font size.
5. Select color, bold, and italics options in the toolbar:

   <table>
     <thead>
       <tr>
         <th />

         <th />

         <th />
       </tr>
     </thead>

     <tbody>
       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/text-bold.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Bold**
         </td>

         <td>
           Bold the selected text.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/italic.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Italic**
         </td>

         <td>
           Italicize the selected text.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/underline.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Underline**
         </td>

         <td>
           Underline the selected text.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/highlight_outlined.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Highlight color**
         </td>

         <td>
           Use the color picker, dropper, or palette to select a text highlight color.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/controls_filled.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Advanced settings**
         </td>

         <td>
           Under advanced settings, you can access the following settings:

           * ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/strikethrough.svg) **Strikethrough**: Add a horizontal line through the center of the selected text.
           * ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/superscript.svg) **Superscript**: Format the selected text as superscript.
           * ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/subscript.svg) **Subscript**: Format the selected text as subscript.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/text-color.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Text color**
         </td>

         <td>
           Use the color picker, dropper, or palette to select a text color.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/text-align_left.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Left align**
         </td>

         <td>
           Change the alignment of the selected text.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/text-align_center.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Center align**
         </td>

         <td>
           Change the alignment of the selected text.
         </td>
       </tr>

       <tr>
         <td>
           ![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/text-align_right.svg)
         </td>

         <td>
           **Right align**
         </td>

         <td>
           Change the alignment of the selected text.
         </td>
       </tr>
     </tbody>
   </table>

## Add dynamic text based on your data

When editing a workbook, you can inject dynamic text into text elements. Dynamic text is text generated based on a formula. This is helpful if you want to display element headers or inline text that automatically updates based on your data.

1. Select your text element, and position your cursor where you would like to add dynamic text.

2. Press <kbd>=</kbd> on your keyboard or select the function (![](https://sigma-docs-screenshots.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Icons/function.svg)) button located in the workbook's toolbar.

   A formula bar pops up over your text element.

   > **Tip**
   >
   > Pressing <kbd>=</kbd> opens the formula bar to add dynamic text. To enter a literal equals sign instead, press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Option</kbd> + <kbd>=</kbd>.

3. Type a formula, just as you would in the formula bar of any data element. Start typing the name of the object or table with your desired field, and Sigma will provide suggestions for you to choose from.

4. Press **Enter** on your keyboard to see the resulting dynamic text.

5. (Optional) To apply formatting:
   1. Select your new dynamic text.
   2. Choose a format option from the toolbar.

## Related resources

* [Intro to UI elements](/docs/intro-to-ui-elements)

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