# Text and fonts in Excalidraw

Text is either free-floating or bound to a shape. Bound text stays centred in its shape and moves with it, which is almost always what you want.

Capable ships eight font families with this editor, including Excalifont, the hand-drawn face that gives Excalidraw its look.

![image-20260907-085237.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/4f86d53c-9c49-4a1f-a476-fbbcd084d39e.webp)

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## What this is for

* Labelling shapes so the labels follow them.
* Choosing a font that matches how formal the diagram should feel.
* Adding a block of text as a note.

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## How it works

| **Action**  | **How**                                                                            |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Add text    | Press T or 8, then click. Or double-click a shape to bind text to it.              |
| Bound text  | Created by double-clicking a shape. It centres and moves with the shape.           |
| Font family | Eight families ship with the editor, including Excalifont for the hand-drawn look. |
| Font size   | Small, medium, large or extra large.                                               |
| Alignment   | Left, centre or right, in the left panel.                                          |
| Edit        | Double-click any text, or press Enter with it selected.                            |

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## A few things that catch people out

* Bind text to shapes rather than placing it on top. Free text does not move with the shape.
* A hand-drawn font signals a draft. Switch to a normal font if you want the diagram taken as final.
* Long text in a small shape shrinks the text rather than growing the shape. Resize the shape.

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## Related

[Arrows, groups and framesBindings that follow, and sections that move.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/arrows-groups-and-frames.html)

[Images in an Excalidraw sceneScreenshots and logos, embedded in the diagram.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/images-in-an-excalidraw-scene.html)

[Excalidraw editorBack to the editor overview.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/excalidraw-editor.html)

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_Rough on purpose._