How to edit text in multiple groups in ai file?

[susanb23057128]

I'm really not proficient in Illustrator and am sure there's an easy answer!

I have an ai file and need to change the text. There are about five layers (that's the term in Photoshop, anyway) for the text. Is there a way to grab all the groups and edit them all at once?

I am changing the wording plus adding words to it. No matter what I do, when I click the Text tool, it only changes one group/layer at a time. It seems like it will be impossible to figure out how each one lays on top of each other to make it look right this way!

I've written to the person who created the art for me, but it was over a year ago, so am not sure if I'll hear back.

Thanks for your help!

Susan

[Monika Gause]

Is it still editable text at all?

If it is you could try and release all the groups.

With the seletion tool select all the words and parts of words that have the same size.

Copy

with the text toolclick and drag a rectangle

paste

this will create a new text object. it might not have any spaces in it. it might need a lot of additional styling.

if it lookd the way you need it, select the original text objects and delete them

[susanb23057128]

Hi Monica,

The text is editable, and I already tried your suggestion. I copied the whole group and pasted it, but still, I have to edit the text one layer a time.

Thank you for trying to help.

Susan

[Monika Gause]

have you ungrouped everything before selecting and copying? that would be important

[Eternal Warrior]

+1

You need all the text you want to put inside one text box ungrouped/clipped etc. from everything before you try and copy and paste...Otherwise, you will get boxes within boxes (...gotta love an Inception reference right?) and Monika's advice WILL NOT WORK.

All the best,

EW

[susanb23057128]

Hi EW,

I believe the copy of the text is ungrouped now:

I just copied and pasted the text outside of the main canvas. Can you please give me a bit more direction on how to put this in a text box? Again, I really never use Illustrator, so I apologize for not knowing something basic!

Thanks,

Susan

[Monika Gause]

Please show meaningful screenshots. Thank you.

What is selected on the artboard should also be visible.

[susanb23057128]

Hi Monika,

The artist sent me another, but it's the same problem. This time, when I ungroup, I lose the shadow effect (see "I Can't Stop" - that's what I ungrouped):

But even then, when I copied and pasted it, when I went to edit the text, it still only showed on layer:

Thanks,

Susan

[Monika Gause]

Ah, OK. Now I see what you mean. I was thinking of a completely different issue.

The artist set up this file in a completely ineffective way.

What you will need to do first is delete the additional copies of the text.

You will then need to set up the artwork in a different way.

Instead of duplicating the text, open that appearance panel.

There create a new fill. Make it black

Move it below the Content.

Then apply Effect > Path > Offset Path to make it thicker

Then create another new fill. Move it below the Contents

Apply Effect > Distort & transform > Transform

Move it Vertical and Horizontal as needed.

[susanb23057128 · Accepted solution]

Hi Monica,

It turned out that the artist had saved it for earlier versions of Illustrator. I have the CC version. It's working now that she resaved it.

Thank you for all your efforts.

Susan

[Jacob Bugge]

Susan,

What happens if you simply try to Edit>Find And Replace, then Find and then Replace All?

[susanb23057128]

Hi Jacob,

I tried that and it only works one letter at a time. So I know it is text, but not recognized as whole words.

Thanks,

Susan

[Jacob Bugge]

Susan,

it only works one letter at a time

Even if you wriye the whole word word/sentence/whatever in the Find box, and similarly in the Replace With box?