Hand tool vs select tool

[drlambert100]

Is there a way to make the 'Hand tool' the default tool when opening Acrobat. Currently, every time I open a document the select tool (I-beam) is selected by default and I have to change it to the hand tool for navigating the document. I use this 99% of the time when I open a document and it would be nice to have it as the default.

[tonyharmer]

Hey

Try this:

1. Go to Preferences > General and then check the Make Hand Tool Select Text & Images option
2. In any open PDF, select the Hand Tool then quit Acrobat

When you relaunch, the Hand Tool should now be the default.

[drlambert100]

I followed your suggestions and that didn't work. Documents still open with the select tool as default. I've attached a short video to show the steps.

Video clip - YouTube

[tonyharmer]

Hi

Sorry I didn't realise you were running an older version. I'll see what I can find for earlier versions and come back if I find a solution.

In the meantime, could I propose a workaround? Go back to the General preferences and check the option to Use single-key accelerators to access tools then all you need to do is press H on your keyboard to pick up the Hand Tool.

I know it's not the solution you're after, but it is at least faster than using the mouse—and hopefully a bit less frustrating.

[drlambert100]

That is better. I did some exploring and found there are a number of useful single-key accelerators I was unaware of that I will use. Thanks.