Entering type along a path


    Type on a path flows along the edge of an open or a closed path. The path can be regularly or irregularly shaped. Entering horizontal type on a path results in characters that are parallel to the baseline. Entering vertical type on a path results in characters that are perpendicular to the baseline.

    Horizontal type on a path (left) compared to vertical type on a path (right)
    Horizontal type on a path (left) compared to vertical type on a path (right)

    When you enter type along a path, it flows in the direction in which points were added to the path. However, you can easily move the type along the path. You can also flip type to the other side of the path, use path type effects to distort the orientation of characters, and control the alignment of type in relation to the path. (See Adjusting the position of type on a path.)

To enter type along a path:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • To create horizontal type along a path, select the Type tool Type tool or the Type on a Path tool Type on a Path tool .
    • To create vertical type along a path, select the Vertical type tool Vertical Type tool or the Vertical Type on a Path tool Vertical Type on a Path tool .

    Note: If the object is a closed path, you must use a Type on a Path tool.

  2. Position the pointer on the path, and click. (It doesn't matter if the path has stroke or fill attributes, because Illustrator automatically removes them.)
  3. Enter the desired text.
  4. When you're finished entering text, click the Selection tool Selection tool to select the type object. Alternatively, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the text.