"You must click on a non-compound, non masking path to create text along a path" while using Type

[Jordan Chap]

Hey. I've already created a shape in illustrator, then I went to select the type along a path tool and the message "You must click on a non-compound, non masking path to create text along a path" I'm not sure what else I should be clicking on so that I can use the tool. 

[Ton Frederiks]

And there is no option to release the compound path?

[Jordan Chap]

How do I release the compound path? 

[Ton Frederiks]

Select the path and go: Object Compound Path > Release

[Jordan Chap]

I don't know how to do that. lol How do I find the object compound path? Sorry I'm new to Illustrator. 

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

You said :

Hey. I've already created a shape in illustrator

I said:

Select the path and go: Object Compound Path > Release

[Jordan Chap]

Ok I figured out how to release the compound path, it's working. Thank you. 

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped!

[Jordan Chap]

I did that. I'm still receiving the same error message. What step am I missing in this equation?? 

[Ton Frederiks]

Can you detail the steps to create the path that gives you this problem?

[defaultnkxmc010ridh]

1. Hello. I am receiving the same error message and I tried to cluck on compound path but it is not highlighted for me so I cannot choose it.  Any thoughts?  Thank you.

[Monika Gause]

1. Hello. I am receiving the same error message and I tried to cluck on compound path

By @defaultnkxmc010ridh

Clicking on a compound path is what you should *not* do.

[manek43509]

Hi, what should I do if Object Compound Path > Release and Object Clipping Mask > Release are both inactive already (only Make is available to me), but I'm still getting this same error message when trying to create text on a path? Feel like I've tried everything I can find suggested on the forums, but this is still driving me up the wall! I would really appreciate some help!

[Larry G. Schneider]

Can you post a screenshot with the selection shown and the Layer panel open?

[manek43509]

I can when I am on my other Mac! Thanks, I'll post that tonight. Really appreciate the response.

[manek43509]

Like this?

[Larry G. Schneider]

So what tool did you use to create the selected object? And what tool do you use to make the Type on a Path? It might help if you could turn the show arrow on that layer and let us see what the selection is. I'm stymied by what appears to be Corner markers at the center of the selection.

[Ton Frederiks]

Can you expand the layer with the selection?

[Kristen5E2D]

I am having the same issue. I am unable to type on circle I made I keep getting the message I cannot type on a compound path.

Whe I got to release the vompound path the release is unavailable only the make is available.

[Monika Gause]

Please show your artwork with layers panel (layer opened, so we can look inside)

[AvaDeer]

Someone else suggested clicking on the line around the shape rather than the entire shape. That worked for me. 

[Hagar5FEE]

This was the only thing that worked for me, thank you !

[John26029487lpfe]

Love the "be kind and respectful" popup when I only ever come here when I'm insanely frustrated out of my mind by Adobe. Yeah, with the "Area Type Tool" you have to click on the line around the shape, NOT in the "area." SUPER intuitiuve Adobe, thanks for making me search a forum for that dumbness.

[Monika Gause]

You do not need to use the area or path type tool at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZl_3sldjZc&list=PLVqhHu3CSohVwRnnhFMenXrV1XpRBZlOC&index=8

[tromboniator]

With the path selected, go to the Object menu at the top of the screen. Click on that, then drop down near the bottom to Compound Path. "Release" will be one of the options that appears. Click on that.

Peter