2 Quick Ways to Use Handwriting on a Windows PC or Laptop

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Enable handwriting on a laptop or desktop computer

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: January 19, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Using Windows 10
|
• Using Windows 11
|
• Using a Drawing Tablet
|
• Video

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Do you want to write on a PC using your mouse or finger? You can use Windows' built-in touch keyboard to hand-write words that turn into text. If you want to use a pen and your device doesn't come with one, you'll need to connect a separate drawing tablet. Here's how to use handwriting input on Windows 10 and 11.

Quick Steps

1. Click the keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Click the keyboard icon within the pop-up panel.
3. Click the pen and paper icon.
4. Click and drag your cursor in the panel to draw the words.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows 10

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1. 
   1
   Open the app where you want to write. You can use the handwriting input in any app that accepts text. For example, your web browser, email app, Microsoft Word, or Notepad.

   • While you can "hand write" words using your mouse, having a compatible pen and/or a touch screen tablet or laptop is recommended if you plan to hand write long forms of text.
   • If you're using a Windows PC without either, you can use an external device such as a drawing tablet instead.
2. 
   2
   Click the keyboard icon. It’s in the taskbar at the bottom-right corner of the screen. This opens your device’s on-screen keyboard.

   • If you don't see this icon, right-click the taskbar, and select Show touch keyboard button.
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3. 
   3
   Click the keyboard icon on the keyboard. It looks just like the last one you clicked, but it’s on the keyboard’s bottom row.

   • This could either be at the bottom-right corner or at the top of the on-screen keyboard.
4. 
   4
   Click the handwriting icon. It’s the icon that looks like a pen and paper. This changes the on-screen keyboard to a handwriting panel.
5. 
   5
   Draw the word(s) you want to write. Hold down the mouse button as you write on the gray panel along the bottom of the screen. Or, if you have a touch screen, you can use your finger or included pen. If Windows recognizes what you wrote, the text will appear in the app/document.

   • Click ••• to expand the options..
   • Click the bracket (the first square on the right side of the handwriting input) to insert a space.
   • Click the thick arrow with an X to delete the last character you wrote.
   • Click the skinnier arrow to insert a line break (the equivalent of pressing Enter).
   • Click the rectangle with a smaller rectangle inside (near the top-right corner of the handwriting panel) to undock the panel. This allows you to move it around the screen.
   • Click the X at the top-right corner of the panel to close it.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Windows 11

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1. 
   1
   Open the app where you want to write. You can use the handwriting input in any app that accepts text. For example, your web browser, email app, Microsoft Word, or Notepad.
2. 
   2
   Click the keyboard icon. It’s in the taskbar at the bottom-right corner of the screen. This opens your device’s on-screen keyboard.

   • If you don't see this icon, right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Click the "Touch keyboard" drop-down menu and select Always.
3. 
   3
   Click the cog icon. This is at the top of the on-screen keyboard.
4. 
   4
   Click Handwriting. This is the second option.
5. 
   5
   Draw the word(s) you want to write. Hold down the mouse button as you write on the gray panel along the bottom of the screen. Or, if you have a touch screen, you can use your finger or included pen. If Windows recognizes what you wrote, the text will appear in the app/document.

   • For more editing options, click ••• at the bottom-right corner of the panel.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Drawing Tablet

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1. 
   1
   Connect your tablet to your PC. Use the cables that came with your device. This could be USB-C to USB-C, 3-in1 USB C, or another connection. Be sure to set it up properly by installing the required drivers.

   • If you don't have a built-in touch-screen, you can use a drawing tablet. A drawing tablet, also known as a pen tablet, graphic tablet, or display tablet, connects to your computer and allows you to use your handwriting input with its pen and external screen.
   • Popular brands include:
     • Wacom
     • XPPen
     • Huion
     • Gaomon
2. 
   2
   Open the app where you want to write. For the best experience, use an app that has handwriting capabilities, such as Microsoft OneNote. You can also sign PDF documents, make digital art, and more.
3. 
   3
   Start writing or drawing. With some apps, you may need to click a certain button to prompt handwriting mode. This usually looks like a pencil icon. Other apps may automatically switch once it detects the pen.

   • If you want your handwriting to convert to text, open the Touch Keyboard from the previous method and write directly in the panel.
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