Can't get Illustrator Gradient Annotator on grouped objects to share one annotator. Help!

[SVSP Matt]

Can't get Illustrator Gradient Annotator on grouped objects to share one annotator. Help!

I am using version 25.2.1 .

[Ton Frederiks]

What happens if you select the group and drag the Gradient Tool (G) in the direction you want?

Or make a compound path of the group and drag the Gradient Tool?

[SVSP Matt]

When I have an object such as a letter "P" Purned to outlines and then exluded into a round shape with patfinder, I use the Gradient tool and the gradient goes across the grouped object fine but then I want to adjust the gradient with the Annotator and it assigns an individual Annotator tool for each object in the group, so that the Inside of the "P" has its own. and the main circle has it's own. I would like to only have one Annotator tool or at least be able to change all within the group and I can not figure out how. 

Any help is appreciated. 

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

Yes, you get 2 gradient annotators, but if you drag with the Gradient Tool (G) in the direction you want it adjusts them both as one single fill.

And if you choose Object > Compound Path > Make you get a single annotator.

Did you try my suggestions?

[SVSP Matt]

Thank you! Using your solution of going to :

" Object > Compound Path > Make " after using the pathfinder to exclude worked and made it have only one annotator! You are a life saver!

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped!