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A
anacathena
Participating Frequently
January 9, 2013
Answered

How does one convert a text path back into a line path in Illustrator CS 5?

  • January 9, 2013
  • 4 replies
  • 51035 views

The previous answer to the same question in Nov 2009 does not work for me. That was to copy and paste in front. I've tried every permutation of copy and paste; I renamed the path to path. It looks like a path when I add stroke, but it does not behave like one.  I can't cut it or join it to any other path. It remembers it's text path status.

I'm running OS X 10.7.5.

Thank you.

Correct answer C.DDDDD

THIS is so much easier. Omg. The solutions here did NOT work for me but this simple trick did it. Good luck out there! 🙂 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJDjILKLv20&t=70s

4 replies

C.DDDDD
C.DDDDDCorrect answer
New Participant
February 20, 2025

THIS is so much easier. Omg. The solutions here did NOT work for me but this simple trick did it. Good luck out there! 🙂 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJDjILKLv20&t=70s

    Monika Gause
    Monika Gause
    Adobe Expert
    February 20, 2025

    SHe's pretty much doing what Mike wrote.

    But you'd better use the group selection tool for it like others in the thread wrote.

    I
    impodster1
    Participating Frequently
    August 12, 2025

    Actually not at all like what Mike wrote.  She's spot on in all her tutorials.  

    anandaguy
    anandaguy
    New Participant
    December 18, 2024

    I found that it does work to, first, select only the line that the text is placed upon -- using the "Selection" (select entire object) tool (and NOT the "Direct Selection" tool for selecting anchor points and segments). Upon selecting the line (like a baseline of the text) further out away from the text itself, and copying it -- I then deleted the orignal text and its line, and pasted the copied version in place (Mac:  Command-Shift-V). The line is now there, but it's a tad tricky assigning a color (i.e. black and with the desired weight). Once you have the "new" converted "line," click elsewhere to deselect the new line. Then now, with the "Direct Selection" (white arrow) tool, hover over it (as it's now not visible) and click on it to highlight it. Now open the "Stroke" panel and apply your desired "Weight" and stoke color. Voila! -- this worked for me.

    _scott__
    _scott__
    Brainiac
    January 9, 2013

    Same way.. copy and paste.

    But you need to select the text path with the Direct Selection tool (white arrow).

    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Adobe Expert
    January 9, 2013

    Select only the line with the hollow arrow tool

    Copy

    Delete text path

    paste in front

      A
      anacathenaAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      January 9, 2013

      Hi Mike,

      I very much appreciate your rapid reply. Unfortunately this solution does not work. The path is still a text path and cannot be manipulated as a line path, cut or joined.

      I used the Direct Selection (A) tool as you both recommended.

      Ana

      A
      anacathenaAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      January 9, 2013

      Hi Scott,

      I appreciate your reply. Unfortunately a simpy copy and paste doesn't seem to cut it. I don't know if my Illustrator version is behaving improperly or what. If you guys are getting this to work, then maybe I need to reinstall. I keep getting a text path back, but I'd swear this had worked for me in the past.

      Thank you,

      Ana

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