The text you got is just that, text. It needs to be turned into a “path”. A path is a vector line that can be turned into computer code that says “go in this direction until you get to this point and then head off in this other direction”. Effectively it’s a map of how the computer can make that line. It’s a vector (a starting point & a direction or ending point). That’s why you can make them as big or small as you want without getting little jagged lines - they’re just math equations.
When you apply a tool and parameters to that path you’re defining the tool path.
So you need to turn your text into these paths. When you do that it stops being text and is just like any other vector. But it stops being text so you can’t double-click in the text and delete a character or type a new one in so make sure you proofread it 
Then select all the text. The lines should change color and you can use either the Modify menu option (& then Explode) or right-click and select Explode. That changes the text to paths or discrete lines.
Don’t ask me why it’s called Explode
Then when you switch to Manufacture mode and create a Setup you can define the toolpaths for the lines just like any other set of lines.
Here’s a good post on how to do it.