> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/gum-tool/gum-elements/text/maxletterstoshow.md).

# Max Letters To Show

## Introduction

This value controls the number of letters that the Text object will show. This value is used when displaying the text, but is not used when calculating the Text size or line wrapping.

If the value is **\<NULL>**, then there is no maximum - all letters are displayed.

## Example

Max Letters To Show limits the number of characters (including spaces). By default this value is **\<NULL>**, which means a Text object will display its full string. Setting this value will adjust the display of the text, but it will not impact any layout values.

For example, by default a Text object displays all of its letters. Note that the Width is fixed, and the Height depends on the contained text - the Height is automatically set on the Text object according to the contents of the text.

![](https://2695663588-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M_fzQmxQ1VeUFHcoo2c%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-110c341959f914b6107761b09b67c077c7a06a05%2FNoMaxLettersToShow.png?alt=media)

Setting Max Letters To Show value to 30 restricts the Text object to displaying its first 30 characters, but the size and line wrapping do not change.

![](https://2695663588-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M_fzQmxQ1VeUFHcoo2c%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-15d6f6c13daa8cf00b2d492e9196fdf2cca589ba%2FMaxLettersToShow30.png?alt=media)

Max Letters To Show applies after all layout and text positioning has been applied. Therefore, centered text may appear off-center. The following text would appear centered if Max Letters To Show allowed the entire text to be displayed, but since it is cut-off, it appears off-center.

![](https://2695663588-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M_fzQmxQ1VeUFHcoo2c%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6a42edfc750ea39c70f6ec984dedd02e5d7f5e01%2FMaxLettersToShowCentered.png?alt=media)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/gum-tool/gum-elements/text/maxletterstoshow.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.