Using Type > Working with text blocks > Converting fixed-size or auto-expanding text blocks

 

Converting fixed-size or auto-expanding text blocks

Dragging with the Text tool creates a fixed-size text block by default. You can change the default behavior of the Text tool to create an auto-expanding text block when you drag the tool. Once you have created a text block, you can covert it from fixed-size to auto-expanding or the reverse.

To specify the type of text block created when dragging with the Text tool:

1

Choose Edit > Preferences. Click Text.

2

Choose the behavior for dragging to create a text block:

Select New Text Containers Auto-Expand (the default setting) to create a fixed-size text block when you drag with the Text tool. When this option is deselected, clicking with the Text tool creates an auto-expanding text block.

Deselect New Text Containers Auto-Expand to create an auto-expanding text block when you drag with the Text tool. When this option is deselected, clicking with the Text tool creates a fixed-size text block.

To convert a text block between auto-expanding and fixed-size:

1

Select a text block with the Pointer tool.

2

Double-click a text block side handle (not a corner handle) to convert the text block from auto-expanding to fixed-size or the reverse.

To convert multiple text blocks between fixed-size and auto-expanding:

1

Use the Pointer tool to select the text blocks that you want to convert.

2

Choose Edit > Find & Replace > Graphics.

3

Click the Select tab to bring the panel forward.

4

For Attribute, choose Object Type, and from the Object Type pop-up menu beneath it, choose Text.

5

For Search, specify the search criteria—Selection, Page, or Document—and click Find. This selects all text blocks.

6

Click Window > Inspectors > Object to display the Object inspector.

7

Do one of the following:

If you are converting fixed-size text blocks to auto-expanding text blocks, click the Width button to set the blocks' width to auto-expand, and click the Height button to set the blocks' height to auto-expand.

If you are converting auto-expanding text blocks to fixed-size text blocks, click the Width button to fix the blocks' width at the current size, and click the Height button to fix the blocks' height at the current size.