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Computer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) -- TabletPC:  Start Input Panel with a Gesture

Summary

This article describes how to use the start Input Panel gesture.

Instead of using the Tablet PC Input Panel button on the taskbar to open Microsoft Tablet PC Input Panel, you can use the start Input Panel gesture anywhere on the screen of your Tablet PC.

A gesture is a motion that you make or a shape that you draw with your tablet pen to send a command to your Tablet PC. Once you become familiar with gestures, you can use them to accomplish common tasks more quickly just as you might use a dedicated button on your keyboard to open a program.

For example, imagine that you are using Microsoft Windows Journal to take notes in a meeting. You want to name the note quickly so that you don't miss any important notes from the meeting. You tap Save to open the Save As dialog box, and then you remember that you need to use Input Panel to enter text in the Save As dialog box. You can make the start Input Panel gesture to open Input Panel. After Input Panel appears on your screen, you enter the name of the note, tap OK, and then continue taking notes in Journal.

The start Input Panel gesture is an optional feature. You can turn on or turn off the start Input Panel gesture in Tablet and Pen Settings in Control Panel.

Using the Start Input Panel Gesture

The animation below demonstrates the start Input Panel gesture.

Input Panel Gesture Image

Holding the tip of the pen above the screen, but close enough that you can move the pointer with your pen, quickly move the pointer back and forth several times.

Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble opening Input Panel with the start Input Panel gesture, try one or more of the following suggestions.

  • Ensure that the start Input Panel gesture is turned on. (See How to turn on or turn off the start Input Panel gesture, below.)
  • Ensure that Input Panel isn't already open. If you've chosen to hide the pen input area, only the Input Panel title bar appears on your desktop.
  • Ensure that you don't touch the screen with the tip of your pen as you move the pen back and forth.
  • Try moving your pen back and forth diagonally rather than straight up and down or in a horizontal line.
  • As you move your pen back and forth, allow the pointer path to curve to the left or the right.
  • Try moving the pen faster or slower.
  • Try using larger strokes.
  • Try moving the pen back and forth more times.
  • Try resting your hand on the screen of your Tablet PC while you make the gesture.
  • Try customizing the start Input Panel gesture so that it more closely suits your preferences.

If you are still having trouble with the start Input Panel gesture, you may need to calibrate the screen of your Tablet PC so that it responds more appropriately to the way that you hold your tablet pen. You can calibrate your screen using the Settings page in the Tablet and Pen Settings dialog in Control Panel.

How to turn on or turn off the start Input Panel gesture

  1. On the taskbar, tap the Start button, and then tap Control Panel.
  2. Tap Printers and Other Hardware, and then tap Tablet and Pen Settings.
  3. Tap the Pen Options tab.
  4. Under Pen actions, in the Pen Action column, tap Start Input Panel gesture.
  5. Tap Settings.

Customizing the Start Input Panel Gesture

You can customize the start Input Panel gesture settings to suit your preferences.

To perform the start Input Panel gesture, you wave the tip of your tablet pen above the screen. Your Tablet PC recognizes this action as the start Input Panel gesture only when you move the pen back and forth a specified number of times, within a specified distance, and within a specified time. You can use the Gesture setting slider to adjust your settings for the start Input Panel gesture.

For example, if you frequently move your hand around above the screen of your Tablet PC, you might find that you start Input Panel when you don't intend to. You might want to move the slider closer to Large so that Input Panel opens only when your gesture movements number more and are faster and farther apart.

On the other hand, if you would prefer that the gesture required less movement to use, you might want to move the slider toward Small so that your gesture movements can be fewer, slower, and closer together.

Try adjusting your gesture settings to suit your preferences, and then test the settings by using the gesture anywhere on the screen of your Tablet PC to open Input Panel. If necessary, continue to adjust and test your settings until you get the result that you want. You need to close Input Panel before you can test the gesture.

How to customize the start Input Panel gesture

  1. On the taskbar, tap the Start button, and then tap Control Panel.
  2. Tap Printers and Other Hardware, and then tap Tablet and Pen Settings.
  3. Tap the Pen Options tab.
  4. Under Pen actions, in the Pen Action column, tap Start Input Panel gesture.
  5. Tap Settings.
  6. Move the Gesture setting slider to the appropriate position.

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