Multiple Text Styles via Expressions on a Single Text Layer

[Yoan Boisjoli]

I am writing to propose a new feature that I believe would greatly benefit the After Effects community, particularly those creating Motion Graphics templates (MOGRTs): the ability to set multiple text styles using expressions within a single text layer in the source text.

Implementing this feature would offer several advantages:

1. Streamlined Workflow: Enabling multiple text styles in one layer would save time and reduce project complexity by eliminating the need for multiple text layers.
2. Greater Customization: Creators would have more control over text elements, allowing for more dynamic and visually appealing content.
3. Enhanced Compatibility with Premiere Pro: Simplifying text layer management would facilitate seamless editing and modification of templates in both applications.
4. User-friendly Template Creation: Multi-style text layers would allow for simpler templates with fewer layers, making them easier for clients and other users to understand and use.
5. Precise Style Control for MOGRT Users: Enabling this feature would allow MOGRT users to easily select and apply specific text styles, such as italic or bold, within the same text layer. This would grant them greater flexibility and precision when customizing the appearance of their text elements.

In conclusion, adding the ability to set multiple text styles using expressions within a single text layer in After Effects would be a valuable improvement for the community, especially for those working with MOGRTs. Your continued dedication to enhancing the user experience and application capabilities is much appreciated.

I have also gathered some links to forums and active discussions within the community, further emphasizing the demand and interest in implementing this feature. Please find them below:

https://creativecow.net/forums/thread/setting-different-styles-for-specific-parts-of-a-text-layer-us...

https://creativecow.net/forums/thread/style-a-single-word-in-a-text-layer/#post-2426421

https://creativecow.net/forums/thread/multistyle-text-in-one-text-layers/#post-2441550

https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects-discussions/using-new-text-expression-in-ae2020-to-appl...

https://www.reddit.com/r/AfterEffects/comments/xinjnv/how_to_have_two_different_font_style_in_one_te...

https://creativecow.net/forums/thread/how-to-combine-two-styles-in-text-layer-by-expression/

Thank you for considering this feature request.

Best regards,

Yoan B.

[Fabrice290640085dc3]

Same for me.

Thank you developers for adding these features to us.

Best regard

Fabrice

[defaultivzc1lgpela7]

Maybe add a markup interpreter too, so that a formated text can just be inserted as a string.

Formating is really bad with expressions at the moment. 😅

[defaultivzc1lgpela7]

Markdown I mean 

[Yoan Boisjoli]

UPDATE:

For those following this thread, at the end of October 2024, adobe released an update featuring a per character expression style control. So this feature (so far) seems to have seen the light of day!

[JohnColombo]

Hi all,

Thank you very much for your requests. We are pleased to announce that After Effects 2025 (25.0) now allows you to apply multiple text styles to a single Text layer via expressions. More details can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/whats-new/2025.html#text-and-paragraph-styling.

Thank you again for your requests and feedback!
- John, After Effects Engineering Team 

[JohnColombo]

And thank you @Yoan Boisjoli for pointing out that this has been released!

[Yoan Boisjoli]

Thank you, John! You and your team did an amazing job, and it feels incredible to be heard when requesting features!

[InfiniteWhale]

Amazed you implemented a requested feature. First time for everything, I guess.