# Using the Fonts Panel

Text is styled directly through the Fonts panel and Text commands in the main menu. With one or more text objects selected, open the Fonts panel. As desired, choose the font and associated style elements, such as size, color, and shadow. Alternatively, colors can be dropped on text objects directly from the Colors panel.

## Show Hide To Open the Fonts Panel:

Do one of the following:

- Choose the Fonts icon in the toolbar.
- Choose Text > Show Fonts from the main menu.

## Show Hide To Use the Fonts Panel:

1. Choose one or more text object.
2. Use the Fonts panel to choose typefaces, font sizes, and other font formatting, including text shadows and strikethrough.

Here is a summary of the text effects buttons, from left to right across the top:

- Text Underline pop-up menu to choose an underline style (such as single or double).
- Text Strikethrough pop-up menu to choose a strikethrough style (such as single or double).
- Text Color pop-up menu to apply a color to text.
- Text Shadow button to apply a shadow to selected text.
- Shadow Opacity, Shadow Blur, Shadow Off set, and Shadow Angle controls affect the appearance of the shadow.

In addition, Artboard adds Text Outline and Text Mask controls at the bottom of the Fonts panel.

HINT: If you don’t see the text effect buttons, choose Show Effects from the Action pop-up menu in the lower-left corner of the Fonts panel.

## Show Hide To Set Outlined and Masked Text in the Fonts Panel:

Use the Fonts palette to add advanced styling, including text outline and text mask. Text outline and masking are particularly useful for making text stand out on top of dark, colored, or complex backgrounds.

1. Make text active for editing.
2. Do one of the following:

- To outline text, use the slider, highlight the text and type, or use the up/down arrows to adjust the outline thckness as a percentage of font size. Click the color well to change the outline color.
- To mask text, use the slider, highlight the text and type, or use the up/down arrows to adjust the mask (knockout) size as a percentage of font size. Click the color well to change the mask color.

HINT: Masking can be any color as well as semi-transparent, and the size of the mask is fully adjustable.

Previous Topic: Combining and Clipping Shapes
| Next Topic: Working with Text Objects