ARS Type Log

Accessing OpenType features in Apple’s own applications

Some have emailed me with the question “How to access OpenType features in Pages or TextEdit?”. While this is obvious to many, others are not quite familiar with Apple’s (rather good) solution for handling OpenType features.

All Apple’s own applications like Pages, Keynote, Text edit and even Final Cut Pro etc. make use of Apple’s Typography pallet to access the OpenType features in each font. You can access this pallet by clicking Cmd + T (or Format > Font > Show Fonts) to open the Font list dialogue. At the bottom of that dialogue you click on the Options drop-down menu (the little wheel icon) and select “Typography” to open the Typography pallet.

[ + click to enlarge]

When selecting text in an OT font in your document you’ll see the Typography pallet showing the full list of OpenType features available in for that font.
Using Pages and ARS Maquette Pro for this example, the alternate characters are located under Alternative Stylistic Sets > Stylistic Set 1. The same way is true to all applications made by Apple.