Entering values in palettes and dialog boxes
Palettes and dialog boxes let you enter numeric values in a variety of ways. As a result, you may encounter multiple ways of entering a value in a single text box. Ways to enter values A. Arrow buttons B. Text box C. Menu arrow D. Slider E. Dial The following rules apply when entering numeric values: - You can change the type of units used for the numeric value. (See Changing the unit of measurement.)
- If you use a unit other than the preset unit to enter values, Illustrator converts it to the set unit. For example, entering 3cm in a text box set to inches converts the value to 1.1811 inches.
- You can add, subtract, multiply, divide, and define percentages in any Illustrator text box that accepts numeric values. For example, when specifying the size of a rectangle, you can type 72 pt + 2cm for the height. Illustrator performs the calculation and applies the result.
- You can use the following units and abbreviations in text boxes: inch, inches, in, millimeters, millimetres, mm, Qs (one Q equals 0.25 millimeter), centimeters, centimetres, cm, points, p, pt, picas, pc, pixel, pixels, and px.
- When mixing picas and points, you can enter values as XpY, where X and Y are the number of picas and points (for example, 12p6 for 12 picas, 6 points).
- A value without a specified unit uses the default unit for that text box, unless it follows a value with a specified unit. For example, in a text box that uses inches by default, typing 3 + 6 would equal 3 inches plus 6 inches, or 9 inches. Typing 3cm + 6 would equal 3 centimeters plus 6 centimeters, or 3.5433 inches.
- You can use percentages in combination with units. For example, typing 3cm * 50% would equal 3 centimeters multiplied by 50%, or 1.50 cm. Typing 50pt + 25% would equal 50 points plus 25% of 50 points, or 62.5 points.
To enter a value: Do one of the following: - Type a value in the text box. To apply the entry from a palette, press the Enter or Return key on your keyboard or set a value elsewhere in the palette.
- Drag the slider to the desired value.
- Drag the dial to the desired value.
- Click the arrow buttons in the palette to increase or decrease the value.
- (Windows) Click in the text box and then use the Up Arrow key and Down Arrow key on the keyboard to increase or decrease the value.
- Choose a value from the menu associated with the text box.
You can use the Tab key to move between text boxes.
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