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# Text sample description

An atom that defines how to interpret text media data.

## Overview

The text sample description contains information that defines how to interpret text media data. This sample description is based on the standard sample description header, as described in [`Sample description atom`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Sample_description_atom).

The data format field in the sample description is always set to `'text'`.

The text media handler also adds some of its own fields to the sample description.

## Topics

### Data fields

[`Display flags`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Display_flags)

A 32-bit integer containing flags that describe how the text should be drawn.

[`Text justification`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Text_justification)

A 32-bit integer that indicates how the text should be aligned.

[`Background color`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Background_color)

A 48-bit RGB color that specifies the text’s background color.

[`Default text box`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Default_text_box)

A 64-bit rectangle that specifies an area to receive text (top, left, bottom, right).

[`Reserved`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Reserved)

A 64-bit value.

[`Font number`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Font_number)

A 16-bit value.

[`Font face`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Font_face)

A 16-bit integer that indicates the font’s style.

[`Reserved`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Reserved2)

An 8-bit value.

[`Reserved`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Reserved3)

A 16-bit value.

[`Foreground color`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Foreground_color)

A 48-bit RGB color that specifies the text’s foreground color.

[`Text name`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_sample_description/Text_name)

A Pascal string specifying the name of the font to use to display the text.


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