# Annotations & keystrokes: Point at things and show the shortcut you pressed.

> Arrows, boxes, text and redaction blocks, plus an on-screen keystroke overlay.

Canonical: https://www.smoothcapture.app/features/annotations-and-keystrokes

Draw arrows, boxes and text exactly where you need them, for exactly as long as you need them. Keystrokes you pressed while recording can appear as clean on-screen pills.

## Highlights

### Six annotation shapes

Arrow, Line, Rectangle, Ellipse, Text and Redact, each a block on the Annotation track.

### Redact with blur

Cover a password or a name with a Redact block and set how solid the blur is.

### Draw on the preview

Create a shape on the track, then drag it on the preview to move it. Resize it from the preview or with inspector sliders.

### Keystroke overlay

Turn on Show Keystrokes to display what you typed and the shortcuts you pressed during recording.

### Style the keys

Set location, font size, opacity, pill corner radius, and how long each key takes to appear, hold and disappear.

### Automatic privacy masking

For emails, API keys and card numbers, let the privacy scanner find and mask them for you.

## How to do it

### 1. Add an annotation

Add an Annotation track, hover it to preview the placement, and click to create a shape. Pick its type, then drag it on the preview.

### 2. Show keystrokes

Record with Keyboard switched on in the recorder. Then open Keystroke in the inspector, turn on Show Keystrokes and choose where they appear.

## FAQ

### Can I show keyboard shortcuts on screen?

Yes. Record with Keyboard on, then turn on Show Keystrokes in the Keystroke tab. You choose the location, size, opacity and timing.

### Can I blur part of a recording?

Yes. Add a Redact annotation over the area for the time you need. For text such as emails and API keys, the privacy scanner can find and mask them automatically.

More: [Automatic privacy masking](https://www.smoothcapture.app/features/privacy-blur)

### Are keystrokes recorded by default?

Keyboard capture is a toggle in the recorder. Turn it off if you do not want key presses stored with the recording.

## Related

- [Privacy masking](https://www.smoothcapture.app/features/privacy-blur)
- [Smooth cursor & clicks](https://www.smoothcapture.app/features/smooth-cursor)
- [Titles & motion graphics](https://www.smoothcapture.app/features/titles-and-graphics)