Microsoft KB Archive/841184

= The software-based input panel (SIP) uses most of the screen space in landscape mode =

Article ID: 841184

Article Last Modified on 3/20/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC Standard Edition

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SYMPTOMS
When the display screen on your device is in landscape mode, the software-based input panel (SIP) may use most of the screen space. This behavior may include hiding input fields.

Note The SIP is also known as a touch screen.



CAUSE
Beginning with Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC, your device may support both portrait and landscape screen orientations. The keyboard SIP module, the block recognizer SIP module, and the letter recognizer SIP module were all designed to be used in portrait mode. Therefore, these modules may use lots of vertical space when they are in landscape mode.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.
 * Use portrait mode when you use applications that require text input.
 * Use the keyboard SIP:
 * Tap the text box or the edit box.
 * Tap the Keyboard button in the lower-right corner.
 * Enter text the way you typically enter text.

The text box still works correctly even when the SIP hides the text box.
 * Use a different SIP that uses less screen space. For example, use Microsoft Transcriber. For more information, see the &quot;References&quot; section.
 * Use an internal keyboard or an external keyboard to enter text. The keyboard may not available on all versions of the Pocket PC and may require additional hardware.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
The default screen orientation on most devices is portrait mode (vertical orientation). You can switch to landscape mode (horizontal orientation). To change the screen orientation, follow these steps:
 * 1) Tap Start, tap Settings, and then tap the System tab.
 * 2) Tap Screen, and then select the screen orientation that you want.

In landscape mode, the display is rotated 90 degrees to the left or to the right based on what you select.

You may also be able to assign a hardware button to change the screen orientation. To do this, tap Start, tap Settings, tap Buttons, and then assign a button to the  program.

