Draw: Text defaults to Arial and can't be changed

[Jador13]

I've been having this problem for a long time, and I can't find a solution.

When I create a text box, the font defaults to Arial, 18 point. I can type in the text box, then manually change the font, but if I attempt to click the font selection box, then change the font so I can type in the new font, it deselects the box, and defaults to the Select tool. I then have to create a whole new box which defaults to Arial 18.

I want to be able to create a text box, change the font to the one I wish to use, type the new font in the text box, then go on to create another text box using a different font. The only "solution" I can find is to go into the Options and select a different default font.

Is there a way to change the font BEFORE I start typing, but AFTER I create the text box? Or do I need to type out the entirety of what I'm creating, then manually change it after the fact to the font I want it to appear in?

[acknak]

Sorry, I don't think there's any way to do what you want.

As far as I can see, it's not possible to get what you want: there's no way to create an empty text box, so there's no opportunity to change the font setting before you start typing.

The font for any new (toolbar) object is determined by the settings in the style named "Default", so you can modify that style and then start your text box, but that setting will automatically apply to every object using that style.

[keme]

With LibreOffice Draw I get the exact behaviour requested:
I click the "T" textbox icon, click the font selector to pick a font, and start typing using the selected font.
Using LO 4.3.3.2 on Mepis Antix 14.

I am pretty sure I have done that in Openoffice too, but can't verify at the moment. I have a few different versions installed on a work computer. Will look into it tomorrow...

[acknak]

Doesn't work that way in AOO, at least with the toolbar font selector. As soon as the text box is dragged out on the canvas, the font switches to the "Default" style setting. I didn't try the sidebar font selector.

[keme]

Doesn't work that way in AOO, at least with the toolbar font selector. As soon as the text box is dragged out on the canvas, the font switches to the "Default" style setting. I didn't try the sidebar font selector.

That is true, but you can then select your desired font before you start to type, and when you start typing the text goes into your newly created textbox with the chosen font.

... I want to be able to create a text box, change the font to the one I wish to use, type the new font in the text box, then go on to create another text box using a different font...

Just tried with OpenOffice Draw 4.1.2 on Win7, and that requested behaviour is exactly what I get, just like when I tested with LO.
The only "problem" I see is that the insertion point (text cursor) is not visible in the text box, so you may think that the box was disabled when you selected the font. It isn't, at least not for me.

[acknak]

... you can then select your desired font before you start to type, and when you start typing the text goes into your newly created textbox with the chosen font. ...

You're right. That works for me, too.

I guess the issue is this:

... but if I attempt to click the font selection box, then change the font so I can type in the new font, it deselects the box, and defaults to the Select tool. ...

That seems to be different from what we're seeing, but I can't think what might cause it.

[keme]

It may be that Jador13 is doing something else, but I can't think of anything that would cause it either. Some things I checked:

• With text in shapes you have to double click to get to edit mode, but from there they behave exactly like a text box.
• The "Text box" form element requires opening the object properties to set the font, but I still can't make it behave like the OP describes.
• It might be a different application, but similar graphic elements in Writer behave the same as with Draw.
• There is no problem with objects inserted in documents originating from MS Word. All works the same.

@Jador13: If our comments here do not shed light on the subject, I suggest you try to reset the user profile as described in this link. If that also fails, make a video to show exactly what happens. https://screencast-o-matic.com works OK for OS-X and Windows.