> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.scriptation.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# What's the difference between Text Highlight vs Highlighting with the Marker?

Scriptation has two ways to highlight, and the difference matters: the **Text Highlight** tool locks to your script text (and is best for Note Transfer), while the **Freeform Highlight** marker draws freely like a pen.

|| 📝 NOTE: This video shows a slightly older user interface, but the instructions are still accurate.
${frame}[Actor Highlighting](https://www.loom.com/embed/9150901d5bcb4aa39de0d31495b18a7f)

##### Text Highlight (recommended for Note Transfer)

The Text Highlight tool is the first icon on the [Annotation Toolbar](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/an-overview-of-the-annotation-toolbar-6jmhwg/). When selected, it adds a [Style Palette](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/using-the-style-palette-inspector-1r35re7/) icon to the toolbar for editing color and opacity. To highlight, just **tap / click + drag** along your text.

|| 📝 NOTE: The Text Highlight tool only works in straight lines on top of the script text.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/text-highlight-palette-a-506_vhk4t0.png)

To edit an existing text highlight, touch or click it for options:

* **Copy** — copy the underlying text (touch / click and hold anywhere to display Paste);
* **Type** — change to underline, squiggle, or strikethrough;
* **Color** — select from color presets;
* **Opacity** — set transparency;
* **Layer** — move or copy to another layer;
* **Tag** — tag the text to a category (e.g. Cast, Props, Set Dressing);
* **Note** — add a note;
* **Trash** — delete the highlight.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/horizontal-menu-freeform-a-506_1j2if66.png)

|| 📝 NOTE: You can't use the **Eraser** on Text Highlight annotations — they must be **Deleted** with the Trash icon.

##### Freeform Highlight Marker

The Freeform Highlight tool is also on the [Annotation Toolbar](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/an-overview-of-the-annotation-toolbar-6jmhwg/), though in some screen configurations it's tucked behind the Drawing tool.

| ✅ TIP: **Touch / click + hold** any tool with a **triangle** in the corner of the icon to reveal additional options.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/combination-icon-a_t133lx.png)

When selected, the Freeform Highlight marker adds a [Style Palette](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/using-the-style-palette-inspector-1r35re7/) icon for editing Color, Opacity, and Height. To use it, draw anywhere on your script with your Apple Pencil or finger.

|| 📝 NOTE: Text marked with the Freeform Highlight marker won't follow the text perfectly like the Text Highlight tool — it's a free-draw tool and behaves like a pen.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/freeform-palette-506_10jyd5j.png)

The **Eraser** on the Annotation Toolbar lets you erase parts of this annotation, just like a pencil eraser.

To edit an existing freeform highlight, touch or click it:

* Touch / click and hold to drag it anywhere in the document;
* Resize by dragging the bounding points;
* **Cut** — remove it to paste elsewhere;
* **Copy** — copy it to paste elsewhere;
* **Select More…** — add other annotations to the selection;
* **Style Palette** — style adjustments;
* **Save** — make it a Saved Annotation;
* **Layer** — move or copy to another layer;
* **Note** — add a note;
* **Trash** — delete the highlight.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/horizontal-menu-freeform-a-506_1nxax7m.png)

||| ⚠️ IMPORTANT: If you use the Freeform Highlighter because Text Highlight isn't recognizing your text, you'll likely hit issues transferring those highlights to a new draft. Learn more about [Flattened PDFs](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/why-didnt-my-marker-highlights-transfer-to-my-new-draft-14ztdz/).

# What's Next

[What is Auto-Highlighting?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-is-auto-highlighting-17llf2q/)
[Auto-Highlighting or Character Names not working correctly](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/auto-highlighting-or-character-names-not-working-correctly-sx94zb/)
[Using the Style Palette (Inspector)](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/using-the-style-palette-inspector-1r35re7/)