Selecting type objects


    Selecting a type object lets you apply global formatting options to all the characters in the object, including options from the Character and Paragraph palettes, fill and stroke attributes, and transparency settings. In addition, you can apply effects, multiple fills and strokes, and opacity masks to a selected type object. (This is not possible for individually selected characters.)

    When a type object is selected, a bounding box appears around it in the document window and the word Type appears in the Appearance palette.

    Type object selected on the artboard and corresponding Appearance palette
    Type object selected on the artboard and corresponding Appearance palette

To select type objects:

    Do any of the following:

    • In the document window, click the type with the Selection tool Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool Direct Selection tool . Shift-click to select additional type objects.
    • In the Layers palette, locate the type object you want to select and then click its right edge, between the target button and the scroll bar. Shift-click at the right edge of items in the Layers palette to add or remove objects to the existing selection.
    • To select all type objects in a document, choose Select > Object > Text Objects.

    The Type Object Selection by Path Only preference determines the sensitivity of the selection tools when selecting type objects in the document window. When this preference is selected, you must click directly on the type path in order to select the type. When this preference is deselected, you can click anywhere in the type bounding box to select the type.

To set the Type Object Selection by Path Only preference:

  1. Choose Edit > Preferences > Type & Auto Tracing (Windows) or Illustrator > Preferences > Type & Auto Tracing (Mac OS).
  2. Select or deselect Type Object Selection by Path Only, and click OK.