Handy Trackpad Editing Tips for iPads with iOS 9

Whether you’re using a Bluetooth keyboard on an iPad Air, or a newer directly connected keyboard on the new iPad Pro – iOS 9 comes with some very useful trackpad editing gestures that can save a lot of time.

Two Finger Taps

Did you know that tapping two fingers on the keyboard will result in several text-selecting options?   A single tap with two fingers will select the closest word.  Another single two-finger tap will deselect any selection that was made.  A double tap with two fingers will select the closest sentence.  And a triple tap with two fingers will select the current paragraph.

Once selected, the text can be manipulated as any other selected text can:  cut, paste, replace – or extend from that text selections to a larger one.

Two Finger Dragging

Dragging two fingers on the iPad display will result in moving the active cursor (if no text is already selected).  This is probably the most widely known feature.  If text is selected –  dragging two fingers will reposition the last moved selection handle.  This gesture can be used in combination with the two-finger tap gestures above for more customized text selection boundaries.

Alternately, you may contact the keyboard, and long-touch without dragging – this will cause the cursor itself to display editing handles.  Next, you may drag either backwards or forwards for complete manual control of customized text-selection from a single starting point.

The video below is worth watching – as it demonstrates these features, as well as going into some extra details not covered above.