Selecting characters


    Selecting characters lets you edit them, format them using the Character palette, apply fill and stroke attributes to them, and change their transparency. You can apply these kinds of changes to one character, a range of characters, or all characters in a type object.

    When characters are selected, they are highlighted in the document window and the word Characters appears in the Appearance palette.

    Characters selected on the artboard and corresponding Appearance palette
    Characters selected on the artboard and corresponding Appearance palette

To select characters:

    Select any type tool, and do one of the following:

    • Drag to select one or more characters. Shift-drag to extend or reduce the selection.
    • Position the pointer in a word, and double-click to select that word.
    • Position the pointer in a paragraph, and triple-click to select the entire line.
    • Select one or more characters, and choose Select > All to select all the characters in the type object.

    Tip iconFor information on selecting characters using keyboard shortcuts, see Keys for navigating through and selecting text.