Acrobat 9 Editing Typewriter tool

[MMikeHH]

We process multiple pdf's from various sources and need to annotate the documents. The typewriter tool can be used to type comments into the documents, but often, I'm not able to edit in terms of changing text size, fonts, colors etc. Why are the typewriter tool edit tools often grayed out?

Thanks

[Bill12]

I can't get to my AA9 right now (recovering the HD), but in AA8 the tools appear to be grayed out, but they are still active. That may be the same appearance issue for you. Have you tried them? Of course, in AA8 only the font size and line spacing can be changed, not the font or color.

[gener7]

In Acrobat X, the Typewriter tool is now called the "Add or Edit Text Box" and when the cursor is clicked on the document, Font type, color, line spacing, and size become active. The tool becomes greyed out when finished, so you must double click the added text to edit it and make the options active again.

Gene

[MMikeHH]

Sorry Gene.. N/A as mine is an Acrobat 9 inquiry

Mike

[signature deleted by host]

[gener7]

So double clicking the typewriter text with the Typewriter Tool does not bring back the text cursor and options? I used to have AA9 but I never tried it out. I guess Adobe did overhaul it more than I thought.

[MMikeHH]

Correct.. it has no effect unfortunately

Mike

[signature deleted by host]

[gener7]

While you are waiting, Mike. I did notice you mentioned the command was grayed out on some documents. Could it be that the Security settings on the document block commenting?

If I set security on a PDF, my Type Tools are grayed out. I hope I understand that's what you are telling me.

Ctrl + d or File > Properties, then clicking on the Security tab for that document should indicate if Commenting is permitted.

If it has been, the author has to set the document to allow commenting.

Gene

[MMikeHH]

That's the strange thing. The document is completely open in terms of security settings. Security method reads No Security and there are no document restrictions.

Mike

[signature deleted by host]

[gener7]

Ok, thanks for the quick reply, it's all I can think of at this point until a AA9 owner can step up to the plate. I know you got electronic paperwork to process and I hope we can get you on the way.

Gene

[MMikeHH]

Thanks Gene - I appreciate your attempts to solve this one. Did you see the message I posted re. the strange crossover effects from one document to another?

Mike

[signature deleted by host]

[gener7]

I'll go look for it and read it.

I did come across this help document that suggests the problem in 9 might come from have more than one doc open:

http://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/unable-access-acrobats-tool-properties.html

[MMikeHH]

OK.. that should make your day!

Mike

[signature deleted by host]

[gener7]

MMikeHH wrote:

Thanks Gene - I appreciate your attempts to solve this one. Did you see the message I posted re. the strange crossover effects from one document to another?

Mike

No,that message is not listed in your profile. Anyway glad that got it.

Gene

[MMikeHH]

There's the link Gene

http://forums.adobe.com/message/4761320#4761320

Mike

[gener7]

Thanks Mike, I was looking for a different subject header.  Need more coffee. 

So it seems to be a problem in earlier versions, I can't duplicate it in X.

Please mark your question as answered if there are no further issues, it can help others' who might be experiencing this problem.

Gene

[Guest]

First, create typewriter box.  If you are in editing mode when entering the text or double click in existing typewriter box, typewriter tools will be active.

[fizziksman47]

You may be viewing the document in PDF/A mode which turns off Typewriter and Forms editing.  Don't ask me why; I just discovered it.  Go to Edit --> Preferences on the tool bar and select the "Documents" category.  On that window is PDF/A View Mode.  Set the view mode to "Never" (view documents in PDF/A mode).  See screen shot below.  That fixed the problem for me; hope it works for you.

Sam