UWP TextBox invokes external handwriting app instead of "write directly into text field"

Question

I have created a UWP app and deployed it onto a Windows 11 Surface tablet computer.

On this tablet computer, I have actived the option "Write directly into text feld", and typing with the finger is enabled.

However, when I tap the textbox, the external handwriting recognition window is opened up:

What is expected was this:

(taken from here)

My XAML code is this:

<Page
    x:Class="App1.MainPage"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:local="using:App1"
    xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
    xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
    mc:Ignorable="d"
    Background="{ThemeResource ApplicationPageBackgroundThemeBrush}">

    <Grid>
         <TextBox HorizontalAlignment="Left" Height="980" Text="TextBox" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalAlignment="Top" Width="1480" FontSize="48" IsHandwritingViewEnabled="True"/>
    </Grid>
</Page>

What could I have forgotten?

Thank you!

No, there is an option in Windows that says "Use finger as pen". — tmighty, Feb 18 '22 at 10:39
@NicoZhu-MSFT Wow, thank you. It really only works when I use my pen. Even though I activated "Use finger as pen". — tmighty, Feb 18 '22 at 20:48

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 18 '22 at 19:54

It appears the page you referenced is about disabling what you are trying to get rid of. There is another page that describes the pen input you look to add; if I read correctly it uses MS Ink.

see here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/design/controls/text-handwriting-view

<Page
    x:Class="App1.MainPage"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:local="using:App1"
    xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
    xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
    mc:Ignorable="d"
    Background="{ThemeResource ApplicationPageBackgroundThemeBrush}">

    <Grid>
         <TextBox HorizontalAlignment="Left" Height="980" Text="TextBox" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalAlignment="Top" Width="1480" FontSize="48" IsHandwritingViewEnabled="False">
                 <TextBox.HandwritingView>
            <HandwritingView PlacementAlignment="TopLeft"/>
        </TextBox.HandwritingView>
         </TextBox>
         
    </Grid>
</Page>

Thank you very much! It's helpful, but the real reason was that for some reason, it only works with a pen (and not with a finger, even though this option is enabled). — tmighty, Feb 18 '22 at 20:49

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 21 '22 at 01:17

UWP TextBox invokes external handwriting app instead of "write directly into text field" I use my finger. That works.

Derive from document here, XAML text input boxes feature embedded support for pen input using Windows Ink. If you use touch, it will not show HandwritingView. please use pen device to replace, it will work well.

UWP TextBox invokes external handwriting app instead of "write directly into text field"

2 Answers2