AT&T Tabs: How Do I Change Text Input Modes On My AT&T SGH-I987 Samsung GALAXY Tab?
To change Text Input mode follow the steps below:
Text Input Methods
There are two text input methods available:
- Samsung Keypad (default): an on-screen QWERTY keypad that can be used in both portrait and landscape orientation.
- Swype: a new way to enter text on touch screens. Instead of tapping each key, use your finger to trace over each letter of a word.
The on-screen QWERTY keypad works the same in both portrait and landscape mode.
Entering Text Using the Samsung QWERTY Keypad
From a screen where you can enter text, rotate your tablet counterclockwise to a Landscape orientation. The on-screen QWERTY keypad will display.
Changing the Text Input Mode - Keypad
There are two main keypad layout keys that will change the onscreen keys within the QWERTY keypad.
The available Text Input modes are: Sym and Abc.
Note: When in Abc mode, the Sym button will appear. When in Sym mode, the Abc/ABC/abc button will appear.
Using Abc Mode
- If desired, rotate your tablet counterclockwise to a Landscape orientation.
- The following screen displays:
- Tap the desired alphabetic characters.
- The screen initially opens in Abc mode. After typing the first letter,
the shift key
will change to 
and following letters will be lowercase. - Tap to
input another upper-case letter or tap
twice to switch to ABC mode. The shift key will change to
in
ABC mode. All following letters will be uppercase until you tap the shift
key again. - Tap
to send the message or press 
for more options.
Using Symbol/Numeric Mode
Use Symbol/Numeric Mode to add numbers, symbols, or emoticons.
- Rotate your tablet counterclockwise to a Landscape orientation.
- Tap
at the bottom of the screen. The following screen displays: - Tap the desired number, symbol, or emoticon characters.
- Tap the
button to cycle through additional pages. - Tap
to return to Abc mode.
Using XT9 Predictive Text
XT9 is a predictive text system that has next-letter prediction and regional error correction, which compensates for users pressing the wrong keys on QWERTY keyboards.
- Rotate your tablet counterclockwise to a Landscape orientation.
- Tap
at the bottom of the screen. The Samsung keypad settings screen displays. - Tap the XT9 field. A green checkmark will appear next to the field.
- Tap the XT9 advanced settings field to modify XT9 associated settings.
Note: The XT9 option is available only when Abc mode has been selected.
- Begin typing a word. A list of word options is displayed. Tap one of
the words to replace the word that has already been typed or tap
for more word choices. - Continue typing your message. Tap
to send the message or tap
for more options.
Note: You can also use XT9 mode in the portrait orientation.
Entering Text Using Swype
Swype™ is a text input method that allows you to enter a word by sliding your finger or stylus from letter to letter, lifting your finger between words. Swype uses error correcting algorithms and a language model to predict the next word. Swype also includes a tapping predictive text system.
Enabling and Configuring Swype
The Samsung keypad is the default text input method, so to use Swype, you must first change the default keyboard setting.
To enable Swype:
- From the Home screen, tap
> Settings > Locale and text > Select input method. - Tap the Swype option.
- Tap
to return to the previous menu.
For more information on the Samsung GALAXY Tab, please click the banner below.
