Selecting type

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Select characters
Select type objects
Select a type path

Selecting characters lets you edit them, format them using the Character panel, apply fill and stroke attributes to them, and change their transparency. You can apply these 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 panel.

Selecting a type object lets you apply global formatting options to all the characters in the object, including options from the Character and Paragraph panels, 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 panel.

Selecting a type path lets you adjust its shape and apply fill and stroke attributes to it. This level of selection is not available for point type. When a type path is selected, the word “Path” appears in the Appearance panel.

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 paragraph.
Select one or more characters, and choose Select > All to select all the characters in the type object.

Select type objects

Do any of the following:

In the document window, click the type with the Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool . Shift-click to select additional type objects.
In the Layers panel, 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 panel to add or remove objects to the existing selection.
To select all type objects in a document, choose Select > Object > Text Objects.

Select a type path

Selecting a type path is easiest when you’re in Outline view.

Select the Direct Selection tool or the Group Selection tool .
If the type object is selected, click outside the object’s bounding box to deselect it.
Click the type path, being careful not to click the characters. (If you do click a character, you will select the type object instead of the type path.)

Note: 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 to select the type. When this preference is deselected, you can click the type or the path to select the type. You can set this preference by choosing Edit > Preferences > Type (Windows) or Illustrator > Preferences > Type (Mac OS).