---
title: "Simulate typing on a demo field"
slug: "/help/demos/edit/guides/text-typing-simulation"
topic: "demos"
last_updated: "2026-07-29T09:43:30.673Z"
---

## **Overview**

**Typing simulation** makes an input field in your demo look like it's being typed into in real time, letter-by-letter, when a viewer reaches that step. It's perfect for showing search flows, form fills, chat inputs, or command bars where a static screenshot wouldn't do the interaction justice.

Under the hood it's a new kind of edit — the same way you edit a heading or replace an image, you can attach a **typing** behavior to a form field, and the demo player animates the text into place during playback.

---

## **Before You Start**

- Text-typing simulation is being rolled out gradually. If you don't see it in the editor's edit menu on a form field, it's not enabled for your workspace yet — reach out to your Walnut CSM.
- The target element must be a text input (e.g. `<input>`, `<textarea>`, or a contenteditable field).

---

## **Add a Typing Animation**

1. Open the demo in the editor.
2. Click the input field you want to animate.
3. In the edit picker, choose **Typing animation** (a.k.a. **Simulate typing**).
4. Enter the text you want the field to appear to be typed into.
5. Publish the demo.

When a viewer reaches that step, Walnut clears the field and animates the text in character by character.

:::tip[Pair it with a guide step]

Typing animations feel most natural when paired with a guide step describing what the "user" is searching for or entering.

:::

---

## **AI Mode Support**

AI Mode understands typing simulation as an editing capability. You can ask AI Mode to "type '`acme corp`' into the search bar on this screen" and it will attach a typing-simulation edit to the field for you.

---

## **FAQs**

### **How fast is the animation?**
The typewriter runs at a natural cadence tuned to feel like a real person typing. You don't need to set a per-character speed.

### **Does the typed text appear in exports?**
Yes. Video (MP4/GIF) exports pace the render to the typing duration so the animation shows up faithfully.

### **Can I edit the text later?**
Yes. Click the field in the editor and update the typing-simulation edit like any other edit.

:::note[Reviewer to confirm]

Verify the exact edit-menu label ("Typing animation" vs. "Simulate typing" vs. "Text simulation") and whether the current UI exposes a speed control.

:::