Change the background color opacity of a text box without affecting the opacity of text?

[eadkins]

Black letters on a white text box...can you reduce the text box opacity? Without having to add a separete white box behind?

[Monika Gause]

2 methods:

You can either create an additional fill for the text object using the appearance panel. Then apply Effect > Convert to shape > Rectangle and whatever opacity you wish

Or, with an area text you can select the area using the direct selection tool, then apply white fill and opacity.

Also for the area text you might want to add padding in the area text options.