TL;DR
To format text in Storyloft, open Book Controls → Format. Under Text Style, select text and click bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, subscript, or superscript. Use Alignment icons for left/center/right/justify, and Indentation for Indent (Tab) / Outdent (Shift+Tab).
Table of contents
- Why formatting matters in Storyloft
- What the Format tab does
- Step-by-step: format your manuscript
- Tips
- FAQ
- Related help
User summary
Authors who want to format text in Storyloft—bold emphasis, italics for thoughts or titles, underline, strikethrough, subscripts/superscripts, paragraph alignment, and indented blocks—use the dedicated Format panel in Book Controls. Unlike some word processors, Storyloft keeps these controls in the right sidebar rather than only on a floating selection menu. Learning the Format tab helps your manuscript look intentional before you apply themes, export an ebook, or send a file to print.
What it does
Book Controls → Format (FormattingControls) groups inline and paragraph formatting:
- Text Style — bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, subscript, superscript (icon buttons), plus inserts for page break and custom blockquote
- Alignment — left, center, right, justify
- Indentation — indent and outdent (tooltips: Indent (Tab), Outdent (Shift+Tab))
- Headings — covered in the headings help article
The selection bubble menu focuses on images, quotes, bookmarks, and comments—not bold/italic—so use the Format tab for core text styles.
Steps
Step 1 — Open your manuscript and Book Controls
From Books, open a book card. On the right, expand Book Controls if needed.
Step 2 — Go to the Format tab
Click Format in Book Controls (next to Eddy, Themes, and Publish).
Step 3 — Select the text you want to change
Highlight words, sentences, or paragraphs in the canvas. Formatting buttons apply to the current selection (or the active paragraph for alignment/indent).
Step 4 — Apply Text Style (bold, italic, and more)
In the Text Style section, click the icons for:
- Bold
- Italic
- Underline
- Strikethrough
- Subscript
- Superscript
Click the same control again to remove a style. Icons are the primary labels—hover if your browser shows native tooltips.
Step 5 — Set paragraph Alignment
In Alignment, click left, center, right, or justify so the active paragraph matches chapter titles, epigraphs, or body prose.
Step 6 — Indent or outdent
Under Indentation, click Indent (Tab) to nest a paragraph, or Outdent (Shift+Tab) to move it back. You can also use Tab / Shift+Tab in the editor when those shortcuts apply.
Step 7 — Optional Format extras
Still in Format, use Insert Page Break or Insert Custom Blockquote (toolbar titles) when you need print breaks or pull-quote styling. Switch to the Headings section in the same panel for chapter/section structure.
Tips
- Apply themes under Themes after local formatting—theme fonts and sizes pair with your bold/italic choices.
- For lists, links, and standard quotes, see the dedicated lists/quotes/links article.
- Page breaks matter more in Page view and print export than in pure Creative drafting.
- If controls seem missing, exit Focus Mode and confirm the Format tab is selected.
FAQ
Where do I find bold and italic in Storyloft?
Open Book Controls → Format → Text Style. Select text, then click the bold or italic icon. These styles are not on the image/comment bubble menu.
Can I underline or strikethrough text?
Yes. Under Text Style, use the underline and strikethrough icons on selected text.
How do I center a paragraph or title?
Select the paragraph, open Format → Alignment, and click the center alignment icon (or left/right/justify as needed).
How do I indent a paragraph in Storyloft?
Use Format → Indentation → Indent (Tab), or press Tab when the editor accepts indent shortcuts. Use Outdent (Shift+Tab) to reverse.
Why doesn’t selecting text show a bold button?
Storyloft’s selection bubble menu is for images, quotes, bookmarks, and comments. Use the Format tab for bold, italic, and related styles.
What’s the difference between Format and Themes?
Format changes local styles on selected text or paragraphs. Themes sets manuscript-wide typography and look. Use both: Format for emphasis, Themes for the overall design.