# What happens to formatting in the NotchStar teleprompter

> The NotchStar teleprompter is plain text only. Bold, colour and links from a document are not kept, and all text shows in one style.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-plain-text-mac/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

The NotchStar teleprompter holds plain text only. The script is stored as a plain string, so styling is not kept. Every line is drawn in the same centred, semibold type, and you set only the size.

## What is kept

- The words, in order.
- Line breaks and blank lines you type or paste, which you can use to leave a pause in the script. Check the pasted text in edit mode, since how bullets and spacing arrive depends on the app you copied from.

## What is not kept

- Bold, italics, underline and colours.
- Fonts and font sizes from the original document.
- Images and tables.
- Clickable links.

## How to get a clean script

1. Write or paste your script, then press the pencil to look at it as plain text.
2. Put each sentence or thought on its own line. Short lines are easier to read at a glance.
3. Leave a blank line where you want to breathe or change topic.
4. Add cues in capitals or square brackets if you want, for example [PAUSE]. They show as ordinary text.

Because you cannot bold a word, use capitals sparingly for emphasis, or rewrite the sentence so the stress falls where you want it.

## Limits

No formatting and no per line settings. The text size applies to the whole script. To change it, see [speed and size](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-speed-and-size-mac/). Editing is explained on [this page](https://www.notchstar.com/help/edit-teleprompter-script-mac/), and the tool is on the [Teleprompter feature page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/teleprompter/).

## Keep reading.

- [A teleprompter right under your camera](https://www.notchstar.com/features/teleprompter/): Read a scrolling script right beside your Mac's camera. Adjustable speed and text size, fading edges, and an edit mode for your script.
- [How to edit your script in the NotchStar teleprompter](https://www.notchstar.com/help/edit-teleprompter-script-mac/): Press the pencil in the NotchStar teleprompter to turn the script into a text box. Edit, then press the check mark to go back to reading.
- [Can NotchStar hold several teleprompter scripts](https://www.notchstar.com/help/one-teleprompter-script-at-a-time/): NotchStar's teleprompter holds one script at a time. Pasting a new one replaces the old. Keep other scripts in a notes app or file.
- [Using a teleprompter on your Mac for calls and video](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/teleprompter-on-mac/): How to read a script on camera without looking like you are reading: placement, pacing, writing for the ear and a notch based setup.

## More in Teleprompter.

- [How to use the teleprompter in the Mac notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/use-notch-teleprompter/): Open Teleprompter in the notch, press the pencil, paste your script, tick to confirm and press play. Two sliders set speed and text size.
- [Where to put a teleprompter near your MacBook camera](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-near-camera-macbook/): On a notched MacBook the camera sits in the notch, so NotchStar's script sits right beside the lens. Tips for pinning it and sitting at the right distance.
- [Does the NotchStar teleprompter follow your voice](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-that-listens-mac/): No. The NotchStar teleprompter scrolls at a speed you set and never listens to your voice. Here is how to match the pace by hand.
- [Is the NotchStar teleprompter hidden from screen recording](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-screen-recording-mac/): NotchStar does not hide its teleprompter from screen sharing or recording. It is a normal window area, so share a window or check a test first.
- [Why the NotchStar teleprompter text fades at the edges](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-fading-edges/): The NotchStar teleprompter fades text at the top and bottom of its window so the line you are reading stays the clearest. It cannot be turned off.
- [Using the NotchStar teleprompter on a Mac without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-mac-without-notch/): On a Mac with no notch, NotchStar shows a floating pill at the top centre of the screen. The teleprompter works the same way there.