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lindad34092833
Participating Frequently
July 30, 2015
Answered

Can't select block of text

  • July 30, 2015
  • 22 replies
  • 228934 views

I have updated to Adobe Acrobat DC and can no longer select blocks of text in pdfs. I have the select tool active, I am trying to select a whole sentence to highlight. I am using a pdf in which I have previously been able to perform this function. I am trying to place the curser at beginning of sentence and drag to the end of the sentence to select whole sentence before I highlight it.  I can no longer do this WHY? It's driving me mad.

Hoping someone can help

      Correct answer JohnAR

      It might be a scanned copy, Not all PDFs are created by following general norms, creating a PDF file from scratch, or converting an existing text document into PDF format. Sometimes, scanned images are bundled and merged into a PDF file. Such a file can be described as a scanned PDF. They differ from standard PDFs in that editing them is usually not possible.

       

       If so, use OCR to convert it into a regular file. Here's how:

      1. Visit PDF24 or a similar site that uses OCR to recognize the text in files.
      2. Click on the Choose files button.
      3. Upload the scanned PDF file.
      4. Allow the tool to complete its processing.
      5. Download the converted version of the PDF file.

       

      This has worked for me whenever the provider of the original PDF wasn't aware of the difference between scanned PDF's and "regular" PDF copies.

       

      HTH, JohnR

      22 replies

      Show previous replies
      try67
      Community Expert
      try67Community Expert
      Community Expert
      July 31, 2015

      Go to Edit - Preferences - General and make sure that "Touch Mode" is set to "Never".

        L
        lindad34092833Author
        Participating Frequently
        July 31, 2015

        Tried that, it made no difference

          Anubha Goel
          Community Manager
          Anubha GoelCommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          July 30, 2015

          Hey lindad34092833,

          We would help you definitely.

          I suppose you are using Acrobat Reader DC and not Acrobat software as both are different software.

          Also, confirm that you have selected the Select tool and not hand tool for the same.

          Right-click anywhere in the PDF document and choose Select Tool, you must be able to select the text again.

          Please ensure that you are trying to select the original text and not the images of text which cannot be selected.

          Try repairing Reader from the Help menu and check.

          If the issue persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling Adobe Reader DC version from the below mentioned link:

          Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Install for all versions

          Let me know how it goes.

          Regards,

          Anubha

            L
            lindad34092833Author
            Participating Frequently
            July 30, 2015
            Thank you. I am using adobe acrobat Reader DC. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it already.  I am using the select tool which looks like an arrow, and not the hand tool. I have tried moving from the select tool to the hand tool and back again to make sure it is definately in the select mode.

            I am trying to select the original text and not a picture of the text.  I have double checked this in a number of pdfs and have tried to use select in freshly downloaded pdfs as well as pdfs I have saved on my computer.  The saved pdfs I used were ones where I had already selected and highlighted in my older version of reader, but can no longer

            Linda

              RahulTyagi_
              Community Manager
              RahulTyagi_Community Manager
              Community Manager
              July 30, 2015

              Hi lindad34092833,

              Can you share a link to the file so that we can replicate the same at our end?

              Moreover, Are you able to select and highlight text in other pdf files or do you face the same issue?

              Regards,

              Rahul

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