Skip to main content
J
JWoo1
Participant
January 26, 2014
Answered

Suddenly can't edit live type in an Illustrator file (that only I've had access to)

  • January 26, 2014
  • 7 replies
  • 24029 views

I recently lost the ability to edit type in an extensive, mission-critical Illustrator file.  Upon hovering over live text, I first see a pencil cursor with circle/line indicating "can't edit". When I attempt a workaround by selecting text first with the direct select arrow, then type tool, I get the error message: "This type was created in a different version of Illustrator. Editing the text may cause some changes to your text layout. Basic formatting will not be affected. Do you want to continue?"  (Yet I created the entire file myself in Illustrator CS6 and was the only one manipulating it in the same version!) 

When I select "Continue", then click on live type anywhere in the document, the subsequent error message simply states "Can't edit the type".  And I really can't.  Not sure what to do, as my whole process depends on copying and modifying chunks of content throughout this extensive web app mock, in which months of labor have been invested.

So, I upgraded to CC/CS7 hoping that might help, but am getting the same error there.  This file (among many others) that is basically priceless to my job security now appears useless.

The font I'm using is Source Sans Pro, an Adobe font I downloaded from http://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Source+Sans+Pro.  It has worked flawlessly all year.  Absolutely puzzled and trying not to panic on deadline.  Thanks for any insight you all have!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Mike_Gondek10189183

The original post should have been resolved by  setting all text. Type >> Legacy Text >> update all legacy text.

If the other posters did not encounter an error of "This type was created in a different version of Illustrator. Editing the text may cause some changes to your text layout. Basic formatting will not be affected. Do you want to continue?" you  should start your own post as your problem is coming from another cause.

7 replies

M
monta17march
Participant
February 16, 2017

I had the same problem suddenly not being able to select and edit any text.

For me the answer was very simple.

Under "VIEW" on the top menu, it must say "HIDE EDGES". If is says "SHOW EDGES" just click on it and it will change to Hide Edges.

You will notice that the keyboard command for changing this is Command H, which is probably something I did by mistake and then it through me into a panic.

    P
    Peggy Nehmen
    Participant
    October 13, 2017

    that worked for me!

      monteg73010959
      monteg73010959
      Participant
      January 19, 2017

      In a similar vein,

      I updated my Illustrator last night and today wanted to work on an .ai file that I easily worked with previously and now I can't.

      I have two immediate issues that came up:

      1.) I cannot use command-A to select all the live text of a word,

      2.) Or when I do have highlighted text and try to re-type the word, it won't and a pop-up appears saying "Can't edit live text." I went to "Type" in the menu bar but Legacy Text is grayed out. I cut and pasted into a new document, same deal.

      Update bug? Font? Default Setting?

        Mike_Gondek10189183
        Community Expert
        Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
        Community Expert
        January 19, 2017

        Can you please post a file using dropbox or similar,  with just the problem area. You can start your own past as will have better response and targeted feedback for you.

          Mike_Gondek10189183
          Community Expert
          Mike_Gondek10189183Community ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          August 23, 2016

          The original post should have been resolved by  setting all text. Type >> Legacy Text >> update all legacy text.

          If the other posters did not encounter an error of "This type was created in a different version of Illustrator. Editing the text may cause some changes to your text layout. Basic formatting will not be affected. Do you want to continue?" you  should start your own post as your problem is coming from another cause.

          pablosanj3260242244
          pablosanj3260242244
          Participant
          August 23, 2016

          I was able to work around this by simply selecting all (Ctrl+A) and then copy (Ctrl+C) but then doing nothing else. This unlocked all the text. Hope this helps someone.

            D
            default9j4agijjpnvw
            Participant
            July 8, 2021

            Pablosanj,

            OMG, it worked!!!  Thank you so much.

            I can't tell you how many hours I wasted!

            Ella

            C
            Crizzz
            Participant
            July 18, 2016

            I Am experiencing the same problem with a deadline tomorrow...

            Monika Gause
            Community Expert
            Monika GauseCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            July 18, 2016

            Crizzz schrieb:

            I Am experiencing the same problem with a deadline tomorrow...

            This thread is from 2014.

            So you have the exact same problem with the exact same version, font, system?

            C
            Crizzz
            Participant
            July 18, 2016

            No, different font. I get loads of error messaging when I copy/paste: "Can't edit the type". I tried re-installing illustrator CC 2 times today, cannot even try to type within existing text. Type is Open sanss and Roboto Slab. most of the time illustrator just quits, without notifications afterwards. Really odd, never experienced this before... Document is 800 MB. But never been a problem before..

            D
            Adobe Employee
            Dhanuka
            Adobe Employee
            January 27, 2014

            Have you tried copy pasting the entire document or only the text into another Illustrator document ?

            J
            JWoo1Author
            Participant
            January 28, 2014

            Update: This problem is very mercurial.  Stumbled upon a sideways solution after learning by hands-on trial and error that I could copy/paste frozen content to a different doc and edit it there.  In this process, I was eventually able to restore editing capability to the original doc, inexplicably.  The warning comes up sometimes, but I just keep bashing through with various tools (direct select/type alternately), and I generally find a way through.  Puzzling and concerning though.  This bug has cost me dearly, and rebuilding from scratch really wasn't an option.  The copy-pasting would have been ridiculous with my multi-artboard & layered file, but less so than starting from scratch.

            Thanks for taking the time to reply!

            Mylenium
            Mylenium
            Legend
            January 26, 2014

            Well, did you install any other fonts recently? Changed system language settings? Changed settings on one of the text-centric panels like Glyph substitution options and all that? Have you tried to open the file on another system?

            Mylenium

            J
            JWoo1Author
            Participant
            January 28, 2014

            Yes, I upgraded machines to brand new MacBook Pro, upgraded work CS to subscription CC like I have at home studio, and unfortunately the bug followed my affected file(s) through all of that.  Quite pernicious.  My accidental workaround is described above, with Dhanuka's answer being partly correct.  Copy/pasting content, though highly impractcal, became my only option as my desperation grew (which I discovered as a workaround on my own).  In that process, though, of copying from the original seemeingly corrupt doc, I was able to rather inexplicably break through the error messaging loop & edit the type again, THANK GOODNESS.

            Also did some minor cleanup w/ font management, but didn't notice a clear correlation w/ that and my success.  Sheer stubbornness pays, I guess.

            N
            Adobe Employee
            Neeraj Nandkeolyar
            Adobe Employee
            February 4, 2014

            It would be great if you could send a sample file for the Adobe Illustrator team to investigate. Please zip the file and send that as an attachement to: ShareWithAi@adobe.com

            Thanks!

            - Neeraj

              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
              Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices