Area type removes shape appearance

[Charlie329572228uvx]

I am trying to add type within a shape. Area type removes the appearances of the shape. How can I add type to a shape without removing its fill and stroke?

What I am trying to accomplish is to add boxes of text to a timeline. I need the text box to be resizable to reflect the duration of the event, without stretching the text.

can anybody suggest a way to accomplish this?

[CarlosCanto]

1. select the shape and create a new graphic style before you add text to it

2. add you text to the shape (lose the appearance)

3. select the text shape only, not the whole text item

4. apply the graphic style created on step 1, to re apply the lost appearance