How to Use the Text Settings in Helperbird
Learn what each control in Helperbird's Text settings panel does, and which one to change first. Spacing helps more readers than changing the font does.
- features
- reading
- accessibility
What This Does
Text settings changes how text looks on the websites you read. There are six controls in this panel.
All six are free. Each one stays on until you turn it off, so a setting you pick today applies to the pages you open tomorrow.
You can use one control on its own, or combine several.
Who is This For?
This is helpful for:
- Anyone who finds dense blocks of text hard to read
- Readers with dyslexia
- Anyone who loses their place at the end of a line
- Anyone who wants bigger text without zooming the whole page
Start Here: Spacing Before Fonts
Most people change the font first. The research points the other way.
Spacing is worth trying before fonts. Extra room between letters, words and lines helps a lot of people read more comfortably, and it costs nothing to test. Fonts matter too, but they are more a matter of personal preference than most people expect.
So try the controls in this order:
- Letter spacing. Push the letters apart.
- Word spacing. Make the gaps between words clearer.
- Line spacing. Give each line more room, so your eye finds the next one.
- Font size. Make the text bigger.
Change one thing at a time. Read a paragraph after each change. Stop when the page feels comfortable.
A Guide for Each Control
| Control | What it does | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Font | Sets the typeface used on the page. | Change the font |
| Font size | Makes the text bigger or smaller. | Change the font size |
| Letter spacing | Adds space between individual letters. | Change letter spacing |
| Word spacing | Adds space between words. | Change word spacing |
| Line spacing | Adds space between lines of text. | Change line spacing |
| Text alignment | Sets how the text lines up on the page. | Change text alignment |
If You Want a Dyslexia Font
Helperbird includes OpenDyslexic, Atkinson Hyperlegible, Andika and the Lexend fonts. Some readers prefer them. Pick one from the Font control.
See how to use dyslexia friendly fonts for the full list and the steps.
Where These Settings Do Not Apply
These six controls change websites. They do not change Google Docs or PDF files. On those pages the controls are turned off.
They are also unavailable while exam mode is on.
Need Additional Help?
If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.