You’re used to using the Typewriter tool in earlier versions of Acrobat; and can’t find it now. Don’t worry, its still there in Adobe Acrobat X.
Choose Tools > Content > Add or Edit Text Box.
Accessing the Add or Edit Text Box tool in Acrobat X
The Typewriter toolbar that you are familiar with displays. See Acrobat online help topic here to learn how to use the Typewriter toolbar.
{Tools | Comment | Share} are no longer menu items. They are called task buttons and are located on the top-right of the application window. When you click on these buttons, the task pane opens and display the buttons inside. The buttons are highlighted in the screenshot.
#1 by Steve on December 8, 2010 - 3:31 am
I just downloaded adobe X and I need to use the “typewriter” function. I came here to find out all I need to do is click on the “tools” part of the tool bar. Only problem I have is that there is not “TOOL’ icon or anything for me to click on? What did I do wrong?
#2 by Sami on May 8, 2011 - 10:17 am
What I suggest that every one stick at version 9.
This “X” is silly and I see nothing except that yellow note to stick. GOD – THERE IS NO ” TOOL” icon at all !!??
#3 by Vikrant on May 9, 2011 - 12:26 pm
Sami,
Are you using Acrobat or Reader? From your comment it looks like Reader.
#4 by Mike on November 22, 2011 - 9:39 pm
I can’t find TOOL anywhere in Adobe X 10. Any suggestion?
#5 by Vu on January 7, 2012 - 12:45 pm
Adobe X is kinder pain the neck !
#6 by Vikrant on December 8, 2010 - 9:31 am
Steve, if you only see the Comment | Share buttons, then you’re using Adobe Reader X. Reader does not have this functionality. The Tools button is only available in Acrobat X.
#7 by markinboone on January 30, 2012 - 1:14 am
The author of a PDF (using Acrobat Pro) can set a property to allow use of the Typewriter tool in Adobe Reader: Save As > Reader Extended PDF > Enable Adding Text in Documents that are not Fillable Forms
Acrobat Pro X did come with a learning curve, but I think the benefit of a streamlined interface and (what appears to be) streamlined code has made it a better product. I’d be interested to hear how the haters over a year ago feel about it now…
#8 by john kornblee on March 18, 2013 - 8:16 pm
Hello Mark, (?)
You know I don’t have a lot of time to screw around tutorials about revamped formats and nomenclature. I not only don’t appreciate Acrobat X, but in my struggle to find the typewriter function, I wandered into Acrobat XI. What a mess! How complicated, unintuitive and clumsy can a group make a simple thing after three takes? This kind of technical writing/design is a disgrace. (Please do not add insult to injury by suggesting I only have Reader) obviously frustrated-johnk
#9 by Vikrant on March 18, 2013 - 8:21 pm
If you’re in Acrobat XI, and looking for the Typewriter, you could use Tools > Content Editing > Add Text. The formatting options are in the task pane itself.
#10 by Charles Anderson on December 9, 2010 - 12:44 am
Anyone know why typewriter was dropped in Reader 10? It was available in Reader 9.
#11 by Vikrant on December 9, 2010 - 12:53 am
@Charles,
Could it have been a reader-extended PDF that had the type writer available?
Even in Reader X, a reader-extended PDF will probably have it enabled. Will need to try that out to verify it. (Acrobat will be required to save a PDF as Reader-extended PDF)
#12 by Lex on August 29, 2011 - 3:12 am
Vikrant,
What’s wrong with Adobe? I’ve been using Acrobat Reader for years to have my students make comments on each other’s work in writing workshops, and now Adobe’s dropped this function? I’m completely baffled and confused. Most software builds upon what it already has; now it’s become far more complex just to do what I could to before. Adobe sometimes just does the most counterintuitive things ever. I’ve been trying to come up with a reason not to buy Adobe Acrobat Pro anymore–like all Adobe products, it’s ridiculously expensive, difficult to use, slow and impossible to keep up with in each new release–but with Acrobat Reader X and all the confusion here, I think I may have found a good excuse.
I’ve been working on a book about the electronic writer’s workshop, depending heavily on Adobe Reader as part of the workshop and now I don’t know what to do. I started using Acrobat because it retained formatting–something important for screenwriting–but with all this extra complexity, I’m just about fed up. Is there anyone who can contact me about these issues? I’d really like to find out a simple way to show my students how to use the free reader for workshops. I’m just concerned if I write a book, Adobe will just change things again. I’d appreciate some significant help on this issue.
Lex Williford
Associate Prof. Creative Writing
University of Texas at El Paso
#13 by Vikrant on September 15, 2011 - 4:49 pm
I just wanted to understand in detail, how you use Adobe Reader and Acrobat. From what I could make out from your comment, the features that you need are still there. Some have different names and different locations after the UI overhaul.
Commenting
• Acrobat: All commenting tools are available to users
• Adobe Reader X: Highlight and sticky notes are available to all users
• Adobe Reader X: All commenting and drawing markup tools are available for Reader Extended PDFs (In Acrobat, choose File > Save As > Reader Extended PDF)
• Shared Reviews: All commenting and drawing markup tools are available for all PDFs under reviews (Comments > Reviews and setup a review)
I can’t figure out from your comment, what function did we drop? “TypeWriter” tool got renamed to “Add/Edit text box”. The functionality, and everything else is still the same. And the blog post was about this change.
If your students need to review each other’s work, the free Adobe Reader should suffice. I’d also encourage you to explore Shared Reviews. I’m quite sure that your students will benefit from the added real-time collaboration and feedback that today’s generation is accustomed to.
If you could write to me in detail, about the problems that you’re facing, I can try and forward your concerns to the relevant people.
PS: I can’t be too sure, but my guess would be that the Typewriter was renamed because our younger users have never seen one!
#14 by Simon on September 7, 2012 - 12:19 am
Vikrant,
The tool that I can’t find in Acrobat X Pro is the “Text field Tool” that was available in 7 Pro. This tool allowed me to create a text box with formatting options (allignment, color, font). If you could point me toward a solution I’d be very grateful.
Thanks,
Simon
#15 by LAURIE BROWN on December 30, 2010 - 8:48 pm
Adobe updated on its own and now I have no typewriter. I used that option everyday. ? I’m not sure what to do. I also have no tool menu. I am so lost right now. Please, please bring back my typewriter. I need it for work.
#16 by Vikrant on January 3, 2011 - 12:25 pm
Hi Laurie,
Could you give me some details? Are you using the free Adobe Reader, or Adobe Acrobat?
#17 by PAIGE on February 25, 2011 - 3:00 am
iF YOU STILL HAVE AN OLDER VERSION OF ADOBE ACROBAT THEN, OPEN THE DOCUMENT IN IT.
#18 by Sheryl on January 5, 2011 - 11:36 pm
I cannot change font size; where is the typewriter toolbar? I can click on the box and make the box bigger but the font will not increase. This is in Adobe X Pro; in 9 I would have a font sizer to use on the typewriter toolbar. Help!
#19 by Sheryl on January 19, 2011 - 10:03 pm
I am really getting frustrated. I can create the text box, click on the text box, but cannot change the font size and/or color. Adobe Acrobat X Pro (NOT reader). Tools > Add or Edit Text Box does not do it for me. Changing the font size should not be this difficult.
#20 by Katie on January 20, 2011 - 3:11 am
Hi Sheryl,
I’m having the exact same issue. I’m used to using Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional. And there you could change font color, border color, etc. Any chance you’ve figured this out yet?
#21 by Sheryl on January 21, 2011 - 10:32 pm
No and I am getting ready to uninstall this program because of this. It is ridiculous the amount of time I have spent trying to figure it out.
#22 by Chris on March 19, 2011 - 1:59 am
Hi I work for an online school and we used the FREE Typewriter function of the Adobe Acrobat Reader 5,6,7,8 and 9 to allow our students to add text to our PDF’s that we created with the PAID version of this software, YOUR tech support people are Unaware of this issue/change and your wait times are RIDICULOUS!! really!!???? 45 min to ask one question then be transferred to the “Acrobat Reader” department because i asked for the “Adobe Reader Support”. This Issue needs to be needs amended or im sure we can take our business to a program that does let us edit PDF files for free with a text box or typewriter function. They are out there. I have wasted over 2 hr of my time to find out what i now know about this change, im not very pleased that i have had so much trouble with this stupid IDENTICAL program limited to look at shit?? WHATS THE IE PLUG-IN FOR DUDE? In my eyes “Adobe inc./ent/org/ whatever” you now owe me $30 for my time and $250 for the frustration this Uptate of your new Acrobad X has caused! Thanks!
#23 by MichaelX on June 14, 2011 - 1:29 am
You are all correct. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! It’s almost as if Adobe intentionall made text editing harder to do. AAARRGGGHHHH!
#24 by tj on March 30, 2011 - 9:04 pm
If you double-click on the text box and select all the text, then hit Ctrl+E, the text properties bar will pop up. This is the only way I have found to edit text in a text box. My typewriter does nothing, but it may just be because I don’t know how to use it. Then if you want to set your text box properties to default, right-click on the text box and choose Make Current Properties Default. By the way, I hate Adobe Acrobat X.
#25 by Wendy Hunter on April 21, 2011 - 12:23 pm
TJ you’re a gem! Thank you! Like so many others, I have been pulling my hair out trying to work out how to achieve what I’ve previously been able to do…such a waste of time! I haven’t worked out where the Text Box Properties menu is normally found, but at least I can use your workaround until I have time to go exploring. Thanks again! W.
#26 by ekl on June 13, 2011 - 3:10 am
tj, I agree, you are a gem! I have spent way too much time looking for a way to bold and to change the font in Acrobat Pro X – and I guess I’d still be looking if I hadn’t “resorted” to the forum! Just laughed out loud when Ctrl+E worked, and still haven’t found the text properties bar drop-down which is really strange. So thanks very much for the work-around!
#27 by Leandra on June 21, 2011 - 12:09 am
Thanks – you’re BRILLIANT :-)
#28 by Valerie on July 25, 2011 - 8:09 pm
Thank you, TJ!!! Oh my gosh I have spent hours trying to figure this out!! This is the stupidist thing I have ever seen in a program! It should not be that difficult to change text!! I upgraded from 8 to X Pro and am hating that decision now!!! This new version stinks!
#29 by Rodger on August 9, 2011 - 8:55 pm
But, how do you change the font color?
#30 by KC on August 12, 2011 - 4:27 am
wohoo~~Thx a lot tj!
But now anyone knows how to make the text box text properties always shown on top instead of hitting ctrl e every time after closing the program?
#31 by Jeanine on July 19, 2012 - 8:48 pm
You’ve saved my life! Thank you so much.
#32 by Mike Keeling on January 11, 2011 - 5:10 am
Using Adobe Acrobat X Pro is not fun — when one attempts to use “typewritter.”
You say Choose Tools > Content > Add or Edit Text Box.
But my version only shows File >Edit > View > Window > Help.
NO Tools button.
Deep down in the View > Show/Hided > Menu Bar [F9] one can toggle on/off “add text field” but that results in a mess.
Help.
#33 by Vikrant on January 11, 2011 - 11:45 am
Mike,
It seems like you’re using the free Adobe Reader. By default, this functionality is available in Acrobat, and not in Reader. Reader Extended PDF files however can give you this functionality, but the PDF creator needs to explicitly provide it. See my reply to Charles’ comment in the thread.
#34 by Christy on January 20, 2011 - 3:22 am
I am having a problem too with Adobe Acrobat X. I have no Tools menu, and my version is DEFINITELY not just the reader, I just installed it from a disk, which I have in front of me and it says Adobe Acrobat X Pro. I’d be glad to send you a print screen if you’ll provide me an email address.
#35 by Christy on January 20, 2011 - 3:25 am
Nevermind, Mike is right, so Thank You Mike. You have to go to view, show/hide, then menu bar and you’ll get a navigation bar at the right of the screen, and when I hit add/edit text box and clicked in my document, the typewriter function popped up.
#36 by Vikrant on January 20, 2011 - 1:11 pm
I updated the blog post and added a complete screenshot. Hope that it makes it easier.
#37 by Sheryl on January 21, 2011 - 10:35 pm
I have everything that you show in the screenshot. I click on the Add or Edit Text Box (typewriter) and I do not get the typewriter toolbar with the font size, etc. – all I can do is type. How do I get this to show? I have tried everything, looked at all the preferences, etc.
#38 by Leandra on June 21, 2011 - 12:21 am
Thank you very much! Spent LITERALLY hours today to fix this problem & you solved it in minutes! Guess I’ll have to get used to “X”!
#39 by David Armstrong on January 31, 2011 - 2:20 am
Similar to Cheryl my conversion to X Pro is forced by Adobe’s withdrawal of support for version 6 Pro. The amount of time wasted on X Pro is unbelievably excessive.
Anyway, before I uninstall this beast of a program, Has anyone figured out how to change the font size and color in a text box?
thanks
Dave
#40 by Vikrant on January 31, 2011 - 10:51 am
To change font properties, select the text and press Ctrl +E. The text properties tool bar will open. The functionality is the same as that of the earlier versions of Acrobat. The only change is in the first-level UI where it has been made easier to locate the tools that you need based on the types of task that you are doing.
#41 by john on August 3, 2011 - 8:04 am
This is not the only change because when I change the colour & font using Ctl+E as before I then lose line spaces I have made in the note & i am forced to reinsert these in the small editing box in the right hand corner- Is it possible to make this editing box wider – Our iMac dosen’t seem to allow it.
#42 by Pamela on January 31, 2011 - 9:04 pm
Nonsence Vikrant, That doesn’t work at all. When I click Control E- yes I see a properties box. It allows me to see that I am the author of the text box, and check what data and time I made the change. There is no functionality here to change the font style, colour or size. We are breathlessly waiting to find out how to do this. Please help.
#43 by Rod on February 21, 2012 - 1:47 am
Hi Pamela
So if the text already exist in the PDF page and you wanted to change the text type or color>tools>content>edit document text> highlight the text in question>right click and properties.
hope it helps…
#44 by Denny on February 1, 2011 - 1:28 am
Found a solution to the font issue. Under “Share” on the right hand corner there is a little tab below it. Make sure you check mark “Allow Multiple Panels Open” Once that is checked, click on your Add or Edit Text Box. The Typewriter tool bar will pop up. Hope that fixes all your issues with changing the font with the Typewriter.
#45 by Danielle on February 3, 2011 - 12:22 am
I found the insert text box but when I insert the text and add the needed returns for spacing, Acrobat X deletes all the extra returns. Has anyone figured out this issue of making the format stay the way you type it?
#46 by john on August 3, 2011 - 8:13 am
See my comments above to Vikrant #29, Danielle. If you’re still wondering how to do this – line return spaces will only stick if you make them in the little task bar comments box not in the main comment text box. Apparently this change was introduced in v9.
#47 by Ken Wolfgang on February 4, 2011 - 4:41 am
I really don’t care for the menu bar either but if you open the Tools > Comment then right click on the typewriter, you can add it to your tool bar. Works fine. Also, when I select the typewriter, a tool bar opens and I can select the font/size. Don’t like it, highlight the text and select another font and size.
Alternatively, right click on the tool bar, select Quick Tools and add whatever you like.
#48 by Jamie on February 16, 2011 - 10:27 pm
I have Adobe Reader X. How do I get the Adobe to where I can have Tools as an option with the Typewriter, etc.?
#49 by Vikrant on February 17, 2011 - 11:08 am
Hi Jamie,
You have two options:
1. Upgrade to Acrobat X. That way you’ll have all the tools available, always.
If this is a one-off or infrequent requirement:
2. Ask the PDF creator to save Reader Extended PDF. This means that the creator has given you permissions to modify the docuemnt, and Adobe Reader will show you some extra tools. See http://help.adobe.com/en_US/acrobat/standard/using/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109794195ff-7e0d.w.html
#50 by Dustin Long on March 1, 2011 - 10:55 pm
Thanks for posting this, and thanks to google for allowing me to find it quickly. I think it’s less obvious now, but in my copy of Adobe Acrobat X I was able to follow the instructions and screen shot to get some text into a PDF.
Now if I could just figure out why dragging a PDF from my main display to my second monitor distorts the image so badly, I’d be all set! :)
#51 by Mickey Steward on March 10, 2011 - 8:29 am
Just to clear up the Vikrant instruction on changing font COLOR for the text box: select the text box tool, type some text in the default color, highlight that text, hit Ctl E, and then you can change the color. The instructions given by Vikrant were a bit too abbreviated for me so I had to trial and error my way to understanding what he was suggesting. Maybe my explanation will help someone else.
#52 by Victor Roberts on May 25, 2011 - 10:51 pm
Thanks Mickey. I was almost read to uninstall this silly version until I found your answer. It does beg the question of why Adobe would choose such a hard to use interface.
#53 by Mike Wilson on March 12, 2011 - 12:07 am
I have a pre-printed will form (yep, I’m at that end of the age spectrum) which I would like to write out on my computer as my handwriting is atrocious. Can I, in any way, scan in the form and then type my will out on it, insert the blank pre-printed form (3 pages on one piece of heavy paper} in the printer tray (one side at a time obviously) and then print the will out?
#54 by Vikrant on March 12, 2011 - 1:02 am
You can do all these tasks using Acrobat.
Scan, Add Text, and then print.
#55 by Felix on March 12, 2011 - 11:06 pm
I have another problem since adobe reader x, everytime I open a pdf in the browser, the toolbar is set back to default. Then when when I right click and select the tools that I need, the next time I open a pdf they have disappeared again…
#56 by Vikrant on March 14, 2011 - 12:06 pm
What you are seeing is the “Read Mode”. Read Mode hides the user interface, so that you see the PDF in the entire screen. If you move the mouse to the bottom of the window, you’ll see a toolbar that gives you the basic controls that you need to view the PDF. If however, you’d like to disable the Read Mode, choose Edit > Preferences > Internet, and un-check Display in Read Mode by default.
See View PDF in Read Mode for more information.
#57 by Kevin on March 31, 2011 - 1:35 am
Vikrant – read the question before you respond. I am having the same problem of setting tools in the bar and not having them there the next time I open the reader program. This has been going on with Adobe reader for years with each new release. It sucks. Don’t these code writers use the software when they are done. Getting tools to stay should be the first thing done.
#58 by Tom on July 7, 2012 - 10:13 pm
Vikrant,
Since this seems to be such a popular program. Why not change the typewriter back to its original specs with an update or add on? My Acrobate professional worked fine until the new reader was updated
#59 by Jeff on March 16, 2011 - 2:15 am
I’m using Adobe Acrobat Professional, v 8.2.5. I’ve noticed that after adding the “Attach File as Comment” button to my toolbar, it sometimes disappears the next time I open the application. Any suggestions on how I can make the button stay on the toolbar?
#60 by Greg on March 16, 2011 - 6:30 am
How do I edit text inside a text box?
Previously obvious and easy.
Made the decision to upgrade to Adobe Acrobat X and regret it big time.
Mickey’s advice seems to be what I’m looking for.
Thanks Mickey
No thanks Adobe
I imagine you are keeping busy Vikrant.
#61 by Greg on March 16, 2011 - 6:40 am
No, didn’t work
I can edit text directly on page but not text in a text box
WTF ????
#62 by Greg on March 16, 2011 - 8:46 am
Have gone back to Acrobat 8 until I get the manual..
Grrr….
#63 by Jeremy on March 17, 2011 - 1:16 am
I’m having trouble with the text box fading after I exit the typing mode. The second I click outside of the textbox I created with the TypeWriter tool, the text becomes washed-out. The same thing happens no matter what color, or font I use, they turn into like a “watermark”. The text looks normal while tying. How do I fix this? I’m using Acrobat X Pro Suite, thank you.
#64 by Frank on August 10, 2011 - 2:44 am
Fade font fix
Start\Run\Regedit
Backup then delete
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe
It will default to original settings. I had the same issue and it worked for me.
#65 by Richard on March 28, 2011 - 11:28 pm
I found the typewriter tool. Adobe has outsourced that tool to Tracker Software’s PDF-XChange Viewer.
Adobe is just too full of themselves.
I’m installing PDF-XChange Viewer on my Terminal Servers.
#66 by LeAnn on April 5, 2011 - 4:28 am
I agree with everyone…this is the worst version yet. And worst customer service. But, Thanks to TJ! Ctrl E did the trick…I can now edit text in a text box. ow in the world was I supposed to know that I had to use a keyboard shortcut to bring up a different text formatting toolbar than the one that was already up on my screen with the typewriter??
#67 by Kim on July 4, 2011 - 9:12 am
The only thing this program is good for is combining multiple PDFs into one file. It should not be this difficult to navigate around a program. I have spent countless hours trying to figure out how to change fonts, colors, and sizes. I will not recommend adobe X pro to anyone. Surely, Adobe pays someone enough $$$ to realize the problems in this program.
#68 by Stuart on April 9, 2011 - 11:56 pm
Another question about the typewriter tool: In 8, I was able to create an opaque text box which “covered” and concealed that portion of the pdf page—and then to type in comments. Is there anyway to create an OPAQUE text box in X? I see how to make the drawing markup rectangle opaque—but I can’t type inside that markup (can I?) and I don’t see any way to make the text box opaque.
#69 by Joel on March 22, 2012 - 1:20 am
Under Comment>Drawing Markups – there is a text box option that can be opaque. The text can be edited (bolded, etc), the fill of the box can be changed, etc. Of course, being Adobe, if you are on the text, you can only see properties for the Text Box Text Properties, so if you need to change the box outline or fill, you have to select the edge of the box, then you get Text box Properties. Of course, this type of text box is different than the Add or Edit text box/Typewriter style text box found under Tools. Goodness Adobe, you sure can confound the issue! There isn’t a lot of software that I would call “counter-intuitive”, but this is one.
#70 by Anne-Marie Concepcion on April 10, 2011 - 9:48 am
I’m not sure why you guys are having a problem with this, the Typewriter tool is working fine in my copy of Acrobat Pro X. In fact I added it to my QuickTools bar at the top because I use it so often.
After you choose the Typewriter tool (which is now called the “Add or Edit Text Box tool), you have to wait a few seconds for the system to read the fonts you have available, and then the floating Typewriter tool bar appears … the same thing you’d see if you pressed Ctrl-E.
I always wait till that comes up before I click and start typing. Once I’ve typed some text, I can drag over it with the same tool and change its font and size and color etc. from the panel menu.
If you move your Typewriter cursor over the invisible “edges” of the text box surrounding the typed text (I wish Acro would show these by default), it’ll turn into an arrow cursor and you can click to select the text box. Now you can drag it around the page.
Now … if I want to set a background color for what I type, or apply a color to the box edge, then I use the Text Box tool, which is a diff. tool completely. That’s a tool in the Comment section, in “Drawing Markups”. For *that* tool you do need to open the Properties floating panel (Ctrl-E) to change font size/color etc. but that’s how it worked in earlier versions too.
#71 by Rodger on August 9, 2011 - 8:41 pm
How do you make the text box opaque in acrobat x (i do not have x pro)?
#72 by LQW on August 30, 2011 - 12:18 am
Roger –
1) Go to Comment.
2) Go to Drawing Markups.
3) Click on the “add text box” tool (top row, left corner, red box with a “T” in it).
4) Click in the document roughly where you want the text box. (You can move it around as needed later.) By default, this creates an opaque text box. On my computer, the border is 1 point and the text is Courier red. God knows why – but both can be changed.
5) Type your desired text.
6) Highlight the text with your cursor.
7) Hit Control-E. This brings up a floating Text Box Text Properties menu offering tools for changing font color, alignment within the text box, font, font size, and basic font format (bold, italics, etc.)
8) When you have the text the way you want it, click on the ‘x’ in the upper right corner of the floating menu to close it.
9) Go to Tools
10) Go to Content.
11) Click on the Select Object tool.
12) Using that tool, doubleclick on the text box. This brings up a Text Box Properties dialogue box. The Appearance tab in that box allows you to change the style, color, and thickness of the border, the opacity of the box itself, and the fill color of the box. In my limited experience with Acrobat X thus far, changing the thickness of the border can require resizing the text box to show all the text therein.
I3) If you need to move your completed text box around, click on it with the Select Object and drag it where you like.
Hope that’s helpful.
#73 by Lisa on September 4, 2011 - 3:35 am
I assume everyone is talking about using control-E on a PC. On a Mac this doesn’t seem to work.
#74 by Lorraine Williams on November 28, 2011 - 10:50 pm
Thank you LQW for answering the question without making the user feel stupid.
#75 by Annie on April 15, 2011 - 4:39 am
Thank You Ann-Marie!
#76 by Emil Teofanov on April 25, 2011 - 8:36 pm
It is hard to believe a $200 application (Acrobat X Pro) is so clumsy. It takes 1 hour only to discover how to change the font color!
But I also want to justify and re-flow the existing text. And this functionality obviously will be added in “Acrobat LXIX Pro Shit edition”.
#77 by Chris Carlson on April 26, 2011 - 2:16 am
Acrobat X is a huge step backward in comparison to Acrobat 8. Why should I have to spend copious amounts of time trying to find where tools are?
Face it; software developers don’t care if you cannot do your work; they just want to sell you bloated, overpriced products that take up more driver space and memory.
#78 by tina on May 6, 2011 - 3:54 am
Hi i am having trouble with changing the size on my adobe document because it doesn’t fit in to the box when i type something how do I make it smaller?
#79 by tina on May 6, 2011 - 3:55 am
also my tools are frozen I cannot use them
#80 by Dottie Wood on May 14, 2011 - 1:39 am
How can I revert back to Reader 9 from Reader X? I use the commenting and typewriter toolbars routinely in my work and thought they worked great in Reader 9. They’re not so great in the Reader X. I regret upgrading.
#81 by Nathan on June 9, 2011 - 1:43 am
Who the hell has time to relearn this crap when 100% of all Windows users are accustomed to the main menu system Edit/View/Tools? I had zero complaints w/ the previous UI. Acrobat X is pretentious and stupid. Rolling back to 9…
#82 by Lori Hoisington on June 13, 2011 - 11:17 pm
Where is the text field tool? I make interactive pdfs and use this tool alot and I cannot find it. can you help?
#83 by Vikrant on June 14, 2011 - 12:10 pm
Hi Lori,
I think that you might be looking for Comment > Drawing Markups > Add Text Box.
#84 by Helen on July 9, 2011 - 8:28 am
I am trying to figure out how to add the typewriter function to my toolbar. I fould it but when I try to enable it it says something about “only available when document rights are enabled? Can you please send me simple instructions on how to do this on my home computer. I want to use this typewriter on my docs at home, I use it all the time at work and love it. Thank you for your help. Helen L
#85 by Clay on July 12, 2011 - 2:03 am
ahhh f’ing a that took forever. control+e to get rid of red font. geez. i was ready to punch my computer. thanks TJ
#86 by Joe on July 25, 2011 - 7:37 am
I been using acrobat x pro for a few months and I love it.
One issue that i have is: I can’t find a way to use BOLD text when I am using the typewritter…
I can change colors and text size but I can’t find BOLD text!
Thanks for your help in advance..
#87 by Myron on July 27, 2011 - 3:52 am
Can you pretty please bring back the old, sane interface. This new one is popping and sliding all over.
#88 by john on August 3, 2011 - 7:42 am
I agree, I’m used to acrobat 8 which is intuitive & easy to change text in a comment textbox. X is clunky The only way you can get line spaces to stick is to type in the small comments pane to the right. Also if you change the text size or colour by highlighting the text & using control e – you immediately lose all your line spaces when you click outside the box – you must then put the spaces back in the small comments pane to get them to stick -diabolical! Dont buy Acrobat X if you want ease of use – the other problem i have is cut & pasting – if you want this to match the text box rather than the origional size you must paste it into the little comment box rather than in the text box proper—-
#89 by SteveB on August 16, 2011 - 4:48 am
Had a secretary report the base issue (can’t change font on Typewriter text) on her Acro X Pro, and tested on mine (Acro X Pro). Same problem. Deleted the HKLM/HKCU keys for ../Adobe/Acrobat, ../Adobe/Reader, and ../PDF Settings, and could edit Typewriter text again. Obviously this is a bug. Seriously regretting moving my users up to Acro X Pro.
#90 by Liam on August 22, 2011 - 4:28 pm
Acrobat X – I can use the typewriter text. I can change font, size, colour. But I can’t make it opaque.
I can use the Comment > Drawing Markups > Add Text Box. and make that opaque, but can’t change the text font, size or colour.
What am I missing here? I need a text box that I can edit and make opaque – how do I do this?
#91 by Vikrant on August 22, 2011 - 4:35 pm
If you need a text box, I’d recommend using the “Add/Edit Text box” route.
To change font attributes, select the text and then press Ctrl+E to display the properties box.
#92 by Liam on August 22, 2011 - 8:20 pm
Thanks Vikrant – the problem is by using the Add/Edit Text Box route I cannot find how to make the text box opaque. This used to be known as the Text Annotation Tool in previous versions and I need to use this – am I missing someting obvious?
#93 by Liam on August 22, 2011 - 8:44 pm
also – CTRL + E only brings up my name and date in the properties box, please can you advise?
#94 by Vikrant on August 29, 2011 - 11:30 am
For Text Annotations, I think that you’re looking for the Comments > Drawing Markups > Add Text Box.
This tool lets you specify the Fill Color etc.
#95 by Liam on August 29, 2011 - 12:23 pm
Vikrant – I want to thank you for your efforts. But unfortunately what I’m looking for is the equivalent of the ‘text annotation tool’ that was available on previous versions. I can use the tool you mention to change the background colour or make it opaque; but can’t change the font etc.
The only tool that will allow font change is the typewriter tool and that won’t allow background colour change.
The text annotation tool on my previous version of Acrobat would allow all of these. SO – say, for instance, I have a scanned document but the address is wrong and I want to change it – I could open a text box that hid the previous text, then overwrite it and match the font of the rest of the document. I can’t do this with version X
#96 by Vikrant on August 29, 2011 - 12:34 pm
Select the text an use Ctrl+E to bring up the text properties toolbar, and then change them.
Add Text Box is what used to be formerly called the Text Annotation Tool.
#97 by Anne-Marie Concepcion on September 4, 2011 - 9:49 am
If you have the Text Box selected (you see handles on it), then the Properties tool bar (Command/Ctrl-E) lets you set properties of the box itself, like fill color, fill opacity, and line color. If you double-click inside the Text Box, it changes to “edit text” mode and the Properties tool bar changes to show text formatting controls, including font, style, size, color, paragraph alignment, and so on.
#98 by Cindy on February 10, 2012 - 9:11 pm
I do Ctrl-E, I get Author: My name. The more button, gives me Author, Subject and Modified date, but I don’t have an options to set the properties like described above. This is frustrating, since Adobe 9 worked great and X won’t let me.
#99 by Cindy on February 10, 2012 - 9:26 pm
I figured out what I was doing wrong. Thank you.
#100 by Guillermo on September 8, 2011 - 5:40 am
Thanks Anne-Marie you really help me. I think this is the solution to the original question of this blog.
#101 by RLMCPA on September 9, 2011 - 3:10 am
I’m trying the Acrobat Pro X, using the trial version and have downloaded all updates. We’re a CPA office that is relatively experienced with using commenting, etc. as we’ve used Acrobat 9 Pro for all our workpapers since it came out.
Query: With the new version, commenting is working fine, but there’s new new feature where every time you highlight or use the rectangle tool, it’s automatically adding a text box. We don’t usually need the text boxes and we know how to add them independently, if we do. Do I need to adjust one the commenting preferences to make these go away so they don’t automatically pop-up? Thanks!
#102 by Vikrant on September 9, 2011 - 1:53 pm
When you say “adds a text box” do you mean automatically opens a popup note?
You could try and switch-off the following preference in the Preferences dialog (Edit >Preferences)
1) Choose Edit > Preferences
2) Select Commenting in the left pane.
3) Uncheck “Automatically open comment popups for comments other than notes”
#103 by Kim on September 13, 2011 - 8:22 pm
We upgraded to Acrobat Pro X a month or so ago and I must say, I really don’t like it at all. It is about as user UNfriendly as a software program can be.
#104 by Lily on September 20, 2011 - 6:29 pm
I recently downloaded Adobe Reader X because the default program on my new computer didn’t have the typewriter option. I am very confused by X’s layout and the menu described above is not even in my Adobe X. On the right hand side my menus are as follows:
TOOLS
-Create Files
-Send Files
COMMENT
-Annotations
-Sticky Note
-Highlight Text
And that’s it. Even when I highlight text and press Ctrl+E the properties box doesn’t even work. None of my documents allow me to type on them, and there are no text boxes to select.
I am using Adobe Reader X for my home computer, and I type on the documents because I have sloppy handwriting and I can send the completed documents via email. I would very much like to have the Typewriter ability (I know it’s called something else now but I forgot what it was) so I can continue to do this.
Can anyone help?
#105 by Vikrant on September 20, 2011 - 6:34 pm
Adobe Reader does not have editing capabilities. The TypeWriter mentioned in this post refers to Adobe Acrobat. There are, however, several ways to add comments to PDF documents using Adobe Reader. See if the following post helps: http://blogs.adobe.com/vikrant/2010/12/can-i-comment-on-pdfs-using-the-free-adobe-reader/
#106 by Jessica on September 23, 2011 - 3:28 am
I am using Adobe Reader X and I want to extract pages. But I do not have a Tools task button at the top. How can I get that to show up?
#107 by Alvin on October 14, 2011 - 9:24 pm
Thank you – this was exactly what I was looking for in my Adobe X Pro!
#108 by James on October 26, 2011 - 8:15 pm
The typewriter function is worthless now. I am going back to Acrobat 8. When you use hard return, to place type on the page and then click out of the box, Acrobat decides to remove all your hard returns and move all your text. It makes the typewriter function worthless. What could you Adobe possibly be thinking? Hey, we know what formatting they really want so lets delete their formatting and put in our own. Brilliant. Fire the person or committee responsible for that decision.
#109 by maddeb on November 2, 2011 - 1:27 am
how ridiculous – I hate, hate, hate, all these kindergarten graphics versus just showing the dang words. arghhhh
#110 by Kevin F on November 15, 2011 - 11:50 pm
OK, it seems like the Adobe numbskulls can’t answer a question. When I want to EDIT A TEXT BOX that I already have made (change font, change color, etc) what the frick do I do? I don’t want to hit Ctrl+E…I want to hit a fricking button that I have in my menu area. Typewriter DOES NOT work. What button or shortcut can I use to have the same function as Ctrl+E? The TOOLS banner doesn’t allow you to do this.
I HATE this new format, but am being forced to use it because we spend $$$$$ to upgrade.
LET US PUT TEXT EDIT INTO THE SHORTCUT AREA. IF you already can, someone explain it to me….I want to EDIT THINGS ON MY OWN ACCORD, NOT WHAT ADOBE THINKS ON HOW I SHOULD EDIT THEM.
If I hit PROPERTIES when I have the text box selected, it DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO CHANGE FONTS, COLORS, Etc….
#111 by Kevin F on November 15, 2011 - 11:52 pm
Vikrant, BESIDES Ctrl+E, how do I bring up the text properties box? I want to embed it into my header area (where I have all of my other icons).
This is VERY USER UNFRIENDLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#112 by Joey on November 21, 2011 - 7:56 pm
I have a document that i need to type on. everyone here says to hit tool but all i get is a stupid convert file and that’s it.
#113 by Joey on November 21, 2011 - 7:57 pm
When i hit control e, i get a box that says properties with nothing in it and i can’t do anything with it.
#114 by Cathy West on November 22, 2011 - 12:29 pm
I found it! Sorry, It just made me frustrated. Adobe, you are doing fine. Just don’t be so indirect! How the heck is a form any good if there is difficulty obtaining the alphanumeric communication tool? That needs to be on the bar…like the WP word processor..not buried in a bunch of multiple choice, drop-down menus!
#115 by dietrich on November 24, 2011 - 8:55 pm
Someone tell me how I can remove this program and install reader 9 back:)
#116 by Ryan Hawkins on December 2, 2011 - 8:40 pm
How do you permanently attach the text editing toolbar to the program toolbar? I use that function every single time I open the program but I always have to hit Ctrl+E to make it appear on my screen. I want it TO ALWAYS BE THERE. Even worse, I use two monitors and if I move the Acrobat program window over to my other monitor, the text editing toolbar stays on my original screen (it doesn’t move with the program).
#117 by Philip Tesler on December 10, 2011 - 12:10 am
I like the new typewriter mode for only one reason, it makes it easy to change fonts and some of their properties (ie size, color spacing, etc.) (I still don’t know how to change the font in version 8.) But all I wanted to do was underline some numbers I typed in Acrobat x, and I can’t find a way to do this. In Acrobat 8 all you had to do was highlight the text you typed, right click on it and then click on “Text Style.” You were then presented with the the choiices “Underline,” “Bold,” “Superscript”, etc. Adobe programmers’ heads are in the clouds with not only Acrobat x, but all versions for one reason or another. They just don’t know how to make this application truly intuitive. Don’t they test the program on real users? And this Ctrl+E thing that has been mentioned over and over here, especially by Vikrant, I only see what many here see; a properties window with two tabs, “General” and “Review History.” The general tab only contains two fields, “Author” and “Subject.” Where are the selections for underlining, superscript, bold, etc?
#118 by Andrew Kubista on December 10, 2011 - 12:37 am
to install the Typewriter function (now called “Add or Edit Text Box”) in your header menu,
1. Right click on the header menu
2. Select “Quick Tools”
3. Under the Tools header select the “Content” button
4. Double click the “Add or Edit Text Box”
5. Click the “OK” button
The “Typewriter” function should now be in your menu header. When you first click on the “Typewriter” button you will get a Typewriter bar that allows you to change the font as needed. you can close this menu and the “Typewriter” function will still be active until you select something else just like the older versions on Adobe Pro.
Hope this helps.
#119 by Ryan Hawkins on December 10, 2011 - 4:24 am
Thanks Andrew. I have added that function but I guess I’m really looking to figure out how to permanently affix the “properties” toolbar. Ctrl + E is the only way I can figure out how to get it to appear but it always goes away each time I open Acrobat.
#120 by usgroupie on December 24, 2011 - 10:39 pm
Ctrl + E???!!! Technology in reverse … DOS Commands?
Why not create an icon for editing a Text Box?
#121 by Arnie on January 21, 2012 - 1:44 am
User has new computer with Windows 7 64-bit & Acrobat X installed. Whenever user opens AX, four boxes (Properties, File, Command & Markup, Select & Zoom) appear and user has to close each one. This is very annoying every-time you open AX. Is there a setting somewhere that will prevent boxes from popping up? I have repaired AX, reinstalled and still have the same issue. User did notice that when he added the typewriter to the menu bar that he seems to have more problems.
#122 by Ginny on January 25, 2012 - 7:38 am
Acrobat Pro X is extremely disappointing. Version 9 was much better. I am really sorry I upgraded, because it amounted to a downgrade. I have literally tens of thousands of .pdf documents I have to work with, edit, combine, etc, and just extracting files takes two to three times as long now that the keystrokes don’t work and you have to point at an icon with the cursor. Numerous other issues also. The only thing at all that is good about Acrobat Pro X is that if you go to name a file and there is already one with the same name, it gives you the option to add a (2) without retyping the name. Hiding/ changing the typewriter function was just silly. Change the name, if you must, but don’t hide it. In general, the tools are much more cumbersome to use than previously. If I had known what v. X was like I would NOT have bought it.
#123 by Hime on February 7, 2012 - 10:04 pm
I like the old format, this is a hassle to work with
#124 by Phil on March 20, 2012 - 6:56 pm
I accidentally dragged my typewriter font edit tool off of the screen, and now I can’t get it back? Can you please help me out?
#125 by Phil on March 20, 2012 - 7:05 pm
When i hit control e, i get a box that says properties with nothing in it and i can’t do anything with it.
#126 by Karen on March 21, 2012 - 2:52 am
Hello, I am having trouble when I edit a text document with the typewriter and then try to upload the document to a company file database. For instance a lender website like Blitzdocs. After I upload the document and go to view the document the document appears to be blank and I cant see any of the text I added to the document. the person on the other end cant view it either .Any help you can give would be great.
thank you
#127 by Vikrant on March 21, 2012 - 7:51 pm
The document you refer to, is it a PDF form or just a plain PDF?
#128 by caio on April 3, 2012 - 10:03 pm
I have Acrobat 9 Standard (distiller, writer etc). I have created a text box and wrote on it. I recall having problems figuring out how to change the font size and colour the first time I worked on it, but eventually managed. Having not written down how it was done (it’s not straight forward), I then just copied the text box with the similar format in future PDFs. Now I need to change the font colour and am witnessing the same problem again.
I understand that I’m supposed to have a typewriter tool and so on (also not straight forward, the window options “text box tools” and “text edits” are all deceiving, and can’t get the typewriter to work).
What I don’t understand is why can’t Acrobat put a simple option whereby if I want to change the properties of my text, I just go inside the toolbox, highlight the text whose properties I want to change, right click the mouse and just get an “edit text” option and which allows me to change font size, colour etc. Just look at how Microsoft office does it. It’s just so much easier. Why complicate it?
#129 by Chase on April 4, 2012 - 9:17 pm
I work for a large professional services firm in Chicago. All of us are pretty tech savy. It is pretty much unanimous around the office that Adobe X sucks. None of these new features added make things “easier” at all. Adobe X is a disaster and I wouldn’t be surprised if people were let go after its release.
I honestly don’t know anybody who hasn’t had to have somebody guide them through simple features they were able to do without hesitation before. That is the definition of failure right there. Such a frustrating experience.
#130 by Elliot on April 8, 2012 - 12:31 am
This is the worst feature of Adobe X. There is no task button for it, and it is only accessible with short cut keys. I hope this doesn’t happen again with any other release.
#131 by jb on June 18, 2012 - 9:49 pm
Can you just go back to using adobe 9? I do not have the time for this so called “learning curve” that comes along with 10. I HATE it! Do I just have to uninstall 10 and reinstall 9 somewhere?
#132 by Slightly Frustrated on June 23, 2012 - 12:48 am
Is there a keyboard shortcut for “Adding Text” to a document?
#133 by MA on June 30, 2012 - 3:03 pm
Good illustration Anne-Marie :)
#134 by Marla on July 27, 2012 - 5:35 am
I have Acrobat Pro (not reader) version10.1.3. I can add text box. I can get to the typewriter tool. I can highlight text box and Cntrl E and get Text Box Properties. But I still can not find bold or underline —-Help please.
#135 by Salvatore Mastroluisi on July 31, 2012 - 4:44 pm
I want add at my acrobat reader x ( 10.1.3 ) italiano the tool typewriter
#136 by Keith on October 20, 2012 - 9:45 am
Adobe has always been a law unto themselves, most of the products are difficult to use and honestly if I had something better to make changes to PDF’s I would be using it. (I will be looking)
I have the same simple issue, I just want to bold some text “easy A” not. This is something that every basic word processor since word perfect has been able to do on the market from a simple menu interface Bold, Unerline, Strikethrough font size and on and on. Not through some obscure properties digalog box that doesn’t work properly.
Get is right Abode send out a patch or fix or you will lose your client base quicker than you can say Micros???
#137 by chelsea on January 24, 2013 - 6:14 am
When I use typewriter and want to change font type, section has been flashing and I can’t hold it to make selection, I have uninstall and resintall abode x pro. it is still problem. need help
#138 by David A on January 25, 2013 - 1:18 pm
I am using Acrobat Pro X. I’ve been able to change the font and color, then set it as a default. But now when I add a new text box, not for writing in, but for putting over an area of a page, to highlight it with shaded (opacity) colors, visually I’m unable to see the shaded color on my screen. When I set the percentage and then print the page, it prints with the correct shaded color. Problem is on my screen, I can’t see any color but a white sort of milk over the highlighted part of the page. Any ideas how to make this visable on screen?
#139 by Deb K on February 1, 2013 - 1:58 am
I just received Adobe Acrobat X Standard version and am having several problems.
I created a Stamp that needs to contain variable data. I have no problem entering the data each time I use the stamp but none of the tools that are supposed to allow me to edit the text inside a stamp work. It worked with the previous version. When I double click on the stamp a comment box comes up with is not at all helpful. Please advise.
I need to bold text inside of a text box but that option is not available in the “typewriter”. Also not available as far as I can see are underline, strikeout etc. in a text box. Those only seem to be available when doing annotations on original document text.
#140 by RonR on February 23, 2013 - 1:10 am
I don’t understand why the Text Box feature seems to have disappeared leaving only the limited Typewriter feature which does not allow using a font larger than 24. Maybe Adobe misunderstood how their customers use their products or maybe I was using previous editions in an unintended way. At any rate, I’ve never seen a program that purposefully limited your options to a small subset such as allowing only a maximum font size of 24.
#141 by RonR on February 23, 2013 - 1:16 am
I would also like the answer to this question. Typewriter is nearly useless in comparison to the Text Field Tool.
#142 by Vikrant on February 25, 2013 - 11:46 am
In the right pane, look under Tools > Content Editing > Add text tool (in Acrobat XI) to access the Text Field tool. In Acrobat X, the location is the same but the name might be slightly different.
Another option is using the Text Box tool (Comments > Drawing Markups > Text Box )
#143 by Tomas on April 4, 2013 - 3:59 pm
Our university´s computers all “downgraded” to Adobe Acrobat X Pro from 9 about a year ago. And it really sucks. How could Adobe screw up a good program like 9?
What I’m after is the move pages within a document feature. This was really easy and simple in 9, but how do I easily switch the order of the pages within a document with X?
#144 by Vikrant on April 4, 2013 - 4:33 pm
It’s the same as A9.
Click the Page Thumbnails button in the Navigation pane to open the Page Thumbnails panel, and select one or more page thumbnails.
To move a page, drag the page number box of the corresponding page thumbnail or the page thumbnail itself to the new location. A bar appears to show the new position of the page thumbnail. The pages are renumbered.
#145 by Danny on April 11, 2013 - 6:41 pm
I just don’t understand why they would make things more difficult in XL. Now when I email from XL it doesn’t fill out the subject. It did in 8. Now the typewriter tool is replaced by a text box which you have to dig for. In version 8 I had a button up top. And I’ve only used it for less than a day. Everything is more cumbersome. I don’t even like the way it looks. 8 was much more appealing. I hate this program. I just wasted $139. I’m uninstalling it and reloading 8. I will NEVER buy another adobe product!
#146 by Vikrant on April 12, 2013 - 2:12 pm
I’m sorry to hear that you’re not liking the experience with Acrobat XI. I agree with you that the change from Acrobat 8 will feel quite abrupt, but give it a chance. You’ll find Acrobat XI to be a lot better when it comes to performance and functionality. Some tools have been renamed, and others rearranged, but most of the functionality exists, either as you are used to, or most probably enhanced. If you have any specific issues, do let me know, and I can either work with you directly, or get you in touch with somebody who can.
You can also submit your feature requests here.
#147 by Monsi on May 1, 2013 - 9:59 am
Hi Everyone,
Hope you can help me with a problem I’m having with Acrobat X Pro. When I make any changes, be it adding or deleting a word, apply a style …any change, to a document that contains several paragraphs that reside in a text box, once I click outside the text box after the change has been made, the paragraphs collapse into one. I then have to go back and recreate them using shift + return keys. It’s driving me crazy. The paragraphs stay separated as long as I don’t make anymore changes.
Most likely it’s me that’s not doing things right, but I haven’t been able to figure out what the problem is. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!