So as not to even further derail the graphics tablet thread where the topic was first brought up, I have decided to create a new thread dedicated to hints and tricks about advanced text entry using the Sailfish on-screen keyboard.

To start with, it turns out you can press and hold Shift while typing:

So it is! I stand corrected. I could have sworn I tried it unsuccessfully in the past but it may have been before some update that fixed it. Or I may have confused it with Shift+arrows. Or just simply confused. Either way, my apologies.

Still, Shift+aroows would be luverly. As would the Ctrl key.

It takes a lot of determination but it is just about doable for simple posts. Anything just a little bit more involved and I reach for my N900 (like for example for typing this reply).

Maybe the seasoned Jolla users can correct me like pycage did above but I have not figured out how to:
1) Select a piece of text in the edit box and copy it. Essential for joining two quotes in a single reply like this one.
2) Same as 1 but change the selected text to bold (italic, etc). You know, like Ctrl+B on a PC or the N900.

Could you enlight me/us?
c/p on a TMO text field?
How to select?


Or did I get you wrong?


--edit
At least I now have an (iOS) keyboard with arrows, so simple texting is possible.

Well, there's a thread Keyboard layouts for Jolla's Sailfish OS which details how to add arrow keys to your VKB.
Using da arrows, it is possible to better position the cursor and copy selected text.


External BT KBD, right? That works also, and best if you can manage to connect it somehow to the device.
I'm waiting for the TOHOKBD2 which will solve the VKB-eating-vauable-screen-estate problem for me.

No external kbd but the (latest) en keyboard with arrows pichlo pointed to in exactly above thread.
But how to select and copy???

No, keyboard from the thread you've just pointed out is exactly the one peterleinchen is talking about. Have you noticed what it is called?

Now, I would really love to know HOW you can select text "using da arrows". I must be doing something wrong as it has never worked for me.

(Err, looks like I've been beaten )

Using da arrows, it is possible to better position the cursor and copy selected text.


Originally Posted by peterleinchen View Post

--edit
At least I now


hey one can really select and copy!
but what headaches
(to clarify: with patch browser-text-select and NOT with arrows-selected-text)

and I am sure this only works in browser, right?
SURE, but not in a text box. Only on normal page, cmon.

What a ....... (let's say "regression")

Tried the virtual keyboard with arrows patched in multiple times the last few months but it's very buggy. Well, the arrow keys, that is. The cursor keeps jumping around when using the arrow keys in native apps (they don't work in Android apps).

Not only that but when you e.g. move back with the cursor to delete something and type something else instead, sometimes the thing you deleted or typed gets copied in some buffer and then appear randomly when you move the cursor again. It's so unpredictable that I always have to keep an eye on not just what I type here and now, but also what I typed 5 minutes ago.

At least some consistency of misbehaviour here
The arrows on N9 vkb do the same (sometimes, unpredictably).

It is true, the implementation seems not to be very consistent.

I believe this well might be the reason that Jolla has not implemented it as out-of-the-box working procedure and you have to turn it on via a tweak. If it was part of the normal Sailfish experience I guess they would get a lot of heat about it

I hope it will be fixed soonish and enabled as standard option.