Seletor tool changed to crosshairs

Report · Feb 01, 2018

Hi all,

Im filling in an application in a pdf document. All was going well and I was filling my info directly into the spaces provided by clicking the selector tool into that space and typing in my info.

However as I opened it up today and clicked into the space to insert words it wouldn't click into it.

Also my selector tool which is normally a black arrow sometimes changes to a set of crosshairs. At times the black arrow comes back and changes to a black arrow with a small box below it with a faded grey outline.

With this crosshairs selector if I hold down and pull the mouse to the left or right it draws a blue highlighted rectangle.

Im totally lost and I can't get it back to the way it was.

If anyone had any ideas that would be amazing.

Best,

Nick

Report · Feb 02, 2018

Hello Nick,

As per the description above, the selection for text and image is changing into a crosshair when you are trying to fill a PDF form, Is that correct?

The selection tool is for the text and images and when you highlight a text it remains as Selection tool and changes into a crosshair when you get an image/object. As it's a designed behavior of Acrobat.

As mentioned above, that once you saved the PDF form after entering the details and now with the selection tool, you are not able to enter the details in forms fields, please navigate to PDF properties from File>Properties>Security and check if entering data in the PDF form after saving is allowed.

Have you check with any other PDF form and is the issue is reproducible? If it's specific to one PDF file, Is it possible to share the PDF file with us so that we can check it at our end?

To share the PDF file, refer to How to share a file using Adobe Document Cloud

Let us know your findings.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

Report · Feb 03, 2018

Thanks AnandSri!

Ok so yes Ive checked the security tab and permissions are ALL allowed. No it's happening randomly on different forms from the same Institution. Also I'm using Acrobat DC pro.

So I have already successfully filled out forms from this Institution but all of a sudden it just stopped working for 2 of the forms. I had to download the forms again and fill them in again! It was a nightmare and I'm worried it will happen again.

Yes I've followed the instructions and please find the problem file at the link below:

Shared Files - Acrobat.com

Thanks,

Nick

Report · Feb 04, 2018

I wondered if there is something in your preferences that needs to be unchecked.

Report · Feb 04, 2018

Hi Document Geek,

Thanks mate but no that didn't work I tried it.

It still has the crosshairs after i tried that.

Also another piece of information is with the crosshairs if I use a dragging motion and left click the mouse from the top left to the bottom right it makes a perfect rectangle that is highlighted blue.

Best

Nick

Report · Feb 04, 2018

You are using the Selection tool for Text and Images. Try switching to the Hand tool instead. Depending upon your toolbar setup, the Hand tool may not even be in the toolbar. Sometimes it disappears. Read this article and see if it helps.

Document Geek: Acrobat's Mysterious and Frustrating Hand Tool Behavior