To make the virtual keyboard easier to use, you may want to customize its behavior. Four features you can customize include auto-correction, auto-capitalization, caps lock, and a neat shortcut to insert periods (".") automatically.
Auto-correction means the virtual keyboard tries to guess which word you want to type after you've typed only part of that word—the iPad will also attempt to autocorrect misspellings as you type. Auto-capitalization means that the first letter of every sentence automatically gets capitalized. Caps lock lets you tap the Shift key twice to turn on caps lock so you can type capital letters without tapping the Shift key each time. The shortcut for inserting a period automatically is to simply press the spacebar twice. All of these features are on by default—if you find them annoying, just turn them off.
To customize the virtual keyboard, follow these steps:
From the Home screen, tap Settings. The Settings screen appears.
Tap General. The General settings screen appears.
Tap Keyboard. The Keyboard settings screen appears, as shown in Figure 5-11.
(Optional) Tap the Auto-Correction on/off switch.
(Optional) Tap the Auto-Capitalization on/off switch.
(Optional) Tap the Enable Caps Lock on/off switch.
(Optional) Tap the "." Shortcut on/off switch.
Press the Home button.
Note
Additionally, your iPad can speak any corrections it makes to your typing aloud. You can enable this feature by tapping Settings, General, Accessibility, then tapping the Speak Auto-text on/off switch.