Eyedropper tool not picking up colors

[watermelon5]

I've checked the eyedropper tools settings and it is set as follows:

I'm trying to select only a portion of my text to change as a highlight color, not the entire text box. I can only select the entire text box in order to change the color. Something similar is also happenning with objects. I can't change the color unless I convert it into a compound object.

This is what happens when I try selecting individual text in my live text box tool.

[Monika Gause]

Do you hold down the Shift key when clicking on the circle?

Also: check the Appearance panel. You have probably applied a couple additional fills to the text object.

[watermelon5]

No. I don't hold the shift key.

There are no fills in my appearance panel.

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Can you try it with the Appearance checkboxes unchecked?

[watermelon5]

:balloon::confetti_ball::party_popper: You solved it. :party_popper::confetti_ball::balloon:

However, I don't understand. I thought it must be checked. It would seem I DO want my eyedropper to pick up color and everything mentioned.

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped, but to be honest, I find it confusing too. I'll leave it to someone smarter to explain it.