Patent ID: 7751623

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for displaying a handwriting guide for a free form document editor via a display wherein the handwriting guide includes at least one of an active writing guide and an inactive writing guide into which a user inputs electronic ink, the method comprising: creating an outline object having at least one line for receiving inputs of electronic ink and encompassing at least one of the inactive writing guide and the active writing guide; and in response to the at least one line within the outline object being currently active to receive inputs of the electronic ink, displaying the active writing guide around the at least one line thereby indicating a location of a current active context; transitioning from a text mode for receiving text characters to a pen mode for receiving electronic ink; in response to transitioning from the text mode to the pen mode, displaying the active writing guide of the pen mode around the at least one line wherein the at least one line comprises a line in which an insertion point was last displayed prior to the transition and wherein commands applied to the insertion point are also applied to electronic ink within the active writing guide without selecting the electronic ink within the active writing guide; and in response to a non-insertion point selection being active when transitioning from text mode to pen mode, not displaying the active writing guide.