# Text element {% tabs %} {% tab title="Experience level" %} This core reference entry is suited for **beginner-level builders****.** [Learn more about experience levels.](#user-content-fn-1)[^1] {% endtab %} {% tab title="In-depth articles (11)" %} To learn about this topic more in-depth, we recommend reading the suggested articles below: #### Visual elements * Article: [Visual elements](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design/elements/web-app/visual-elements) *** **Other element categories**\ In this article series, we cover how to work with different element types: * Article series:[ Elements](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design/elements) * Article series: [The element hierarchy](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design/elements/the-element-hierarchy) * Article: [The page](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design/elements/web-app/the-page) * Article series: [Container elements](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design/elements/web-app/containers) (elements that contain other elements) * Article series: [Input forms](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design/elements/web-app/input-forms) (elements that accept input, such as text and file uploads) * Article: [Conditional expressions](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/logic/conditions)\ Making your elements change appearance in response to varying conditions. *** **The design tab**\ In this article we cover the different tools available in the design tab. * Article: ´[The design tab](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/getting-started/navigating-the-bubble-editor/tabs-and-sections/design-tab) *** #### Design Article series focusing on design in general, explaining terminology and offering resources to help you set up a user-friendly, good looking design. * Article series: [Design](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design) * Article: [Responsive design](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/design/responsive-design) Building pages that work on all devices, such as a laptop and a phone. *** **Previewing your app** In this section about how to [preview your app](#user-content-fn-2)[^2] in the development environment. * Article: [Previewing your app](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/getting-started/navigating-the-bubble-editor/previewing-your-app) {% endtab %} {% tab title="Videos (3)" %} Bubble Academy: [How to Use the Text Element](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtS7bLsV-tg)\ Bubble Academy: [Element videos](https://www.youtube.com/@BubbleIO/search?query=element) (list of videos related to elements) #### Connecting elements to workflows Bubble Academy: [How to Use *an Element Is Clicked* Event](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CObRfZiAitY) {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} Displays static or dynamic text content on the page. ## Visual ### Content #### **Text** Defines the text the element displays. This can be static text or generated by a dynamic expression. ### Size Sets the width and height of the element. These properties depend on the layout configuration of the parent element. #### Parent container has a column, row or align layout **Width/height** Sets the width/height of the element. The column, row and align layouts have a more flexible way to set element position.

Type	Description	Options
Fixed	Sets the width of the element as a fixed value.	Pixels: sets the width to a fixed pixel value Percentage: sets the width to a percentage of the parent container
Fit	The element’s width and height automatically adjust based on the size of its child elements. To add a mininum and/or maximum value, click the + symbol.	Min: the minimum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the parent container. Max: the maximum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the container.
Fill	The element's width and height fills the available space in the parent container. To add a mininum and/or maximum value, click the + symbol.	Min: the minimum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the parent container. Max: the maximum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the container.

Type

Description

Options

Fixed

Sets the width of the element as a fixed value.

Pixels: sets the width to a fixed pixel value
Percentage: sets the width to a percentage of the parent container

Fit

The element’s width and height automatically adjust based on the size of its child elements. To add a mininum and/or maximum value, click the + symbol.

Min: the minimum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the parent container.
Max: the maximum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the container.

Fill

The element's width and height fills the available space in the parent container. To add a mininum and/or maximum value, click the + symbol.

Min: the minimum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the parent container.
Max: the maximum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the container.

#### Parent container has a fixed layout **Width/height** Sets the widht/height of the element. The fixed layout has a more rigid way of setting element size, based on static pixel values.

Type	Description
Fixed	Sets the width of an element as a fixed pixel value.

### Layout #### Alignment #### Parent layout: Column In a column layout, a child element's property is restricted to the vertical axis.

Alignment	Description
Left	Elements are aligned to the left edge.
Center	Elements are aligned to the vertical center of the container.
Right	Elements are aligned to the right edge.

#### Parent layout: Row In a row layout, a child element's alignment property is restricted to the horizontal axis.

Alignment	Description
Top	Elements are aligned to the top edge of the container
Center	Elements are aligned to the horizontal center of the container.
Bottom	Elements are aligned to the bottom edge of the container.

#### Parent layout: Align In an align layout, a child element's property is restricted to one of nine cells in a 3x3 grid. Any element placed within the same cell will overlap.

Alignment	Description
Top-left	Elements are aligned to the top-left corner of the container.
Top-center	Elements are aligned to the top edge and horizontally centered within the container.
Top-right	Elements are aligned to the top-right corner of the container.
Center-left	Elements are vertically centered and aligned to the left edge of the container.
Center	Elements are vertically and horizontally centered within the container.
Center-right	Elements are vertically centered and aligned to the right edge of the container.
Bottom-left	Elements are aligned to the bottom-left corner of the container.
Bottom-center	Elements are aligned to the bottom edge and horizontally centered within the container.
Bottom-right	Elements are aligned to the bottom-right corner of the container.

#### Parent layout: Fixed Elements are positioned using fixed X and Y coordinates, defined in pixels. #### Spacing #### Padding Defines the internal spacing between an element’s content and its border in a static pixel value. Padding adds space inside the element, without affecting its position relative to other elements. Padding is added on the vertical and horizontal axis respectively. #### Margin Defines the external spacing between an element and surrounding elements. Margin adds space outside the element’s border. It affects the distance between elements and influences layout positioning. ### **Configure** #### Recognize links and emails When enabled, valid links and email addresses are rendered as clickable links. ### Style Style sets the visual design of the element, including properties such as colors, fonts, borders, shadows and other appearance settings. Styles are shared across elements. When multiple elements use the same style, updating the style will automatically update all elements that reference it. #### Style selector

Select the style to apply to the selected element. #### Edit style

To edit the style, click the edit style icon. The changes to that style will apply to all elements using that style. #### **Detach style** Detaching the style will disconnect the element from the current style, but keep the formatting of the style until you make changes to it. This only affects the selected element.

#### **Overriden styles** You can override a style on one or more elements, using the defined style properties but allowing you to make individual changes to styling properties that apply only to the selected element(s). Overridden styles will be marked with an *Overridden labelI.*

You can reset the selected element's style by clicking the *Reset* icon.

### Appearance The appearance section lets you control the opacity, rotation and radius (corner roundness) of the selected element(s). #### Opacity Opacity sets the transparency level of the selected element(s). At 100%, the element is fully opaque. At 0%, it is fully transparent (invisible).
* **Opacity affects child elements**: If applied to a container, all child elements inherit the same opacity level. * **Opacity does not collapse the element:** Even at 0%, the element still occupies space in the layout. Unlike hiding an element (using *This element is visible on page load*, a conditional visibility rule, or a hide/show action), opacity does not reduce the element’s width or height to zero. #### Radius Sets the roundness of the selected element(s).

How radius is calculated

The value is applied in pixels and determines the radius of the corner’s arc. Larger values create more rounded corners. The maximum visible roundness depends on the element’s size. If the radius is set to a value greater than half of the element’s width or height, the browser automatically caps it at half of the smallest dimension. For example: * A square (100 × 100 px) with a radius of 50 px becomes a circle. * A rectangle (200 × 100 px) with a radius of 50 px becomes a pill shape. * Setting a radius larger than 50 px in the second example will not increase the curvature further, because 50 px is already half of the element’s height.

**Individual radius** To set an individual radius of each of the four corners, click the Individual radius icon.

#### Rotation Rotates the element by a specified number of degrees. Positive values rotate the element clockwise, while negative values rotate it counterclockwise. ### Border The border defines the outline of the selected element. It is drawn around the element’s content and padding. Increasing the border width increases the total visible size of the element unless the layout system compensates for it. Borders sit outside the padding but inside the margin. Padding adds space between the content and the border, while margin adds space outside the border, affecting the distance to neighboring elements.

Border types

{% hint style="info" %} **Note:** some of these border types require a width of more than 1 pixel to make a visible difference. {% endhint %}

Border type	Description
None	No border is displayed.
Solid	A single continuous line.
Dotted	A series of round dots forming the border line.
Dashed	A series of short line segments forming the border.
Double	Two parallel solid lines. The total border width is divided between the two lines and the space between them.
Groove	A carved effect that makes the border appear pressed into the page, using light and dark shading.
Ridge	The opposite of groove; creates a raised effect using light and dark shading.
Inset	Makes the element appear embedded into the page, with shading that simulates depth inward.
Outset	Makes the element appear raised from the page, with shading that simulates depth outward.

#### **Border width** Sets the width of the border, defined by a pixel value. #### **Border color** Sets the color of the border in a hex value. You can also set the opacity of the border. Can be a static or the result of a dynamic expression. #### **Individual borders** To set individual border properties on the top, bottom, left and right, clitk the individual border icon.

### Background Sets the background of the selected element(s) as a color, gradient or image. #### Color Sets the background color in a hex value. You can also set the opacity of the border. Can be a static or the result of a dynamic expression. #### Gradient Sets a gradient color, ranging from a start color and an end color, with an optional mid color.

Linear gradient

A linear gradient is a background effect where colors transition gradually along a straight line. The gradient follows a defined direction (for example, top to bottom, left to right, or at a specific angle). Instead of a single solid color, the element displays a smooth blend between two or more colors across that line.

Starting point	Description
Top	The gradient begins at the top and transitions downward.
Left	The gradient begins on the left side and transitions horizontally to the right.
Bottom	The gradient begins at the bottom and transitions upward.
Right	The gradient begins on the right side and transitions horizontally to the left.
Custom	Allows you to define a specific angle for the gradient direction.

Radial gradient

A radial gradient is a background effect where colors transition outward from a central point. Instead of following a straight line (like a linear gradient), the color spreads in a circular or elliptical shape from the center to the edges. #### Radial gradient types

Type	Description
Circle	The gradient expands evenly in all directions from the center, forming a perfect circle.
Ellipse	The gradient expands in an oval shape, stretching more in one direction based on the element’s width and height.

#### Radial gradient expansion Define how far the radial gradient extends from its center point. They control which edge or corner of the element determines the gradient’s final size, affecting how quickly the color transition spreads across the element.

| Option | Description | | --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Closest side | The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the nearest side of the element. | | Closest corner | The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the nearest corner of the element. | | Farthest side | The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the farthest side of the element. | | Farthest corner | The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the farthest corner of the element. | #### Stops Sets the start and end point of the radial gradient. By default, it has a *Start* and *End.* Optionally, you can add an intermediate point by clicking the + symbol next to *Stops.*

#### Image Sets an image as the element's background. The image can be a static file uploaded directly in the editor, or the result of a dynamic expression. **Upload** Upload a static image file to use as the background. **Make dynamic** Click the + icon to define a dynamic expression that returns the image to use as the background. ### Text Sets the typography of the selected element(s). Only applies to elements that contain text. #### Font Sets the font family used for the text. You can choose a custom font or use a saved font variable. #### Font weight Sets the thickness of the text. Lower values (for example, 400) are lighter, while higher values (for example, 600 or 700) appear bolder.

Understanding font weight

Font weight is not calculated mathematically. It’s defined by the font itself. Most modern fonts use a numeric weight scale from 100 to 900: * **100–300:** lighter weights * **400:** regular (normal) * **500–600:** medium / semi-bold * **700:** bold * **800–900:** extra bold / black However, available weights differ between fonts. One font might include 400, 600, and 700, while another only includes 400 and 700. A weight of 700 in one font is also not guaranteed to look the same as 700 in another font. The numeric scale (100–900) is standardized in CSS, but each font designer defines how thick “700” actually appears within that typeface.

#### Font size Defines the size of the text in pixels. #### Text alignment Controls how text is aligned within the element: left, center, or right. #### Text formatting Applies inline formatting options such as bold, italic, and underline. Click the *More properties* icon for more formatting options.

Additional text properties

**Word spacing** Defines the horizontal space between words. Increasing the value spreads words further apart; decreasing it brings them closer together. **Line spacing** Controls the vertical distance between lines of text (line height). Higher values improve readability for longer text blocks, while lower values create a more compact layout. **Letter spacing** Adjusts the horizontal space between individual characters. Positive values increase spacing (tracking), while negative values tighten the text. **Text alignment (vertical)** Controls how text is aligned vertically within its container (for example, aligned to the top or bottom when vertical alignment is enabled). **Text shadow** Adds a shadow effect behind the text. You can configure properties such as offset, blur, and color to create depth or improve contrast against the background.

#### Text color Sets the color of the text. You can select a custom color or use a saved color variable. ### Shadow Adds an outside or inside shadow to the selected element(s). #### Shadow type Defines whether the shadow appears outside or inside the element. * **Outside:** creates a drop shadow around the element. * **Inside:** creates an inner shadow within the element’s boundaries. #### Position (X / Y) Sets the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) offset of the shadow in pixels. * Positive X moves the shadow to the right; negative X moves it to the left. * Positive Y moves the shadow downward; negative Y moves it upward. #### Blur Controls how soft the shadow appears. Higher values create a more diffused shadow; lower values produce a sharper edge. #### Spread Defines how much the shadow expands or contracts before blur is applied. Positive values increase the shadow’s size; negative values reduce it. #### Color Sets the shadow’s color and opacity. You can define a custom color (for example, a hex value) and adjust its transparency percentage. ## Interaction ### Visibility #### Visible on page load Enable this to make the element [visible by default](#user-content-fn-3)[^3]. This checkbox makes the element visible every time the page loads or reloads[^4]. Change the visibility of the element based on certain conditions[^5] in the Conditional section in the property editor or with a show/hide element action[^6] in a workflow. #### Collapse when hidden Enable this to make the element collapse its height and width to 0 pixels when hidden. This allows surrounding elements to automatically shift into the freed space, preventing empty gaps in the layout. This is commonly used in single-page applications, where elements are shown and hidden dynamically as users navigate, without leaving the page. ### Options #### Make clickable Makes the element clickable, allowing you to attach click events and trigger workflows. #### BBCode applies Enables BBCode formatting in the text element. When enabled, the element interprets supported BBCode tags (such as `[b]`, `[i]`, or `[url]`) and renders the corresponding formatted output. {% hint style="info" %} The easiest way to apply BBCode to text elements is to use the rich text editor, marked in blue below:

{% endhint %} ### Transitions Transitions add animation when a style property changes. Instead of updating instantly, the element gradually shifts from its previous state to the new one over a defined duration. For example, if you reduce an element’s width, a transition can make it smoothly shrink rather than change size immediately.

Transition styles

Transition style	Description
ease	Starts slowly, speeds up in the middle, and slows down at the end.
ease-in	Starts slowly and accelerates toward the end.
ease-out	Starts quickly and decelerates toward the end.
ease-in-out	Starts slowly, accelerates in the middle, and slows down again at the end.
linear	Moves at a constant speed from start to finish.
step-start	Jumps immediately to the end state at the start of the transition.
step-end	Remains in the start state and jumps to the end state at the very end of the transition.

#### Transition duration Transition duration defines how long the transition animation runs, measured in milliseconds. ### Workflows Shows the workflows connected to the selected element. Click the + symbol to create a new workflow associated with that element. The list of available events differs based on which element is selected. {% hint style="info" icon="keyboard" %} **Shortcut:** To quickly add a workflow to a selected element, press Cmd+K on macOS or Ctrl+K on Windows. The shortcut defaults to the most likely event for that element type. {% endhint %} ### SEO **Heading tag** Sets the [HTML heading tag](#user-content-fn-7)[^7] of the element, from h1, down to h6. ### Advanced **Tooltip text (on hover)** Displays a short text label when the user hovers over the text. [^1]: In the Bubble docs, experience levels are categorized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced. To assist with learning, especially for more complex topics, we'll recommend prerequisite reading where it could be beneficial. [^2]: Every chance that you make in your app can be instantly previewed so that you can see how your app looks to your users. User manual article: [Previewing your app](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/getting-started/navigating-the-bubble-editor/previewing-your-app) [^3]: Visible by default means that the element is visible when you load/reload the page. [^4]: The exception is is if you use the Go to page action and go to the same page you are currently on – in this case the element will keep its current visibility, since the page is not refreshed. Reference: [Action: Go to page](https://manual.bubble.io/actions/navigation#go-to-page-...)
Reference: [Action: Refresh page](https://manual.bubble.io/actions/navigation#refresh-the-page) [^5]: *Conditions* are appliead to elements to make them change their apperance or behavior based on a specific condition. Conditions are built using dynamic expressions.
Article: [Conditions](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/logic/conditions) Article: [Dynamic expressions](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/logic/dynamic-expressions) [^6]: An *action* is the part of a workflow that performs a specific task, such as making changes in the database, hiding/showing elements and sending API requests.\ \ Reference: [List of actions](https://manual.bubble.io/core-resources/actions)\ Article series: [Workflows](https://manual.bubble.io/help-guides/logic/workflows) [^7]: An HTML heading tag defines a section heading. Tags range from `

` (the most important) to `

` (the most important) to `

` (the least important), and are used by browsers, AI and search engines to understand the structure of a page.