Gradient fill text appears black in Illustrator

[matthewd72325586]

Filling text with a gradient in illustrator (25.1) appears black. 

I have read another user with the same problem, they had to check the apperance panel instead of using the colour fill, this doesnt seem to work for me.

I'm sure there is somthing simple I have missed as I have done this many times in the past.

Any suggestions very welcome.

[Monika Gause]

Please show how this is set up in the appearance panel.

[matthewd72325586]

[Monika Gause]

You need to move the fill on top of the "Characters" in the appearance panel.

[Anna Lander · Accepted solution]

don't set a gradient as a main fill to the text. In Appearance panel add a new fill and set it as gradient.

You can even set the main fill as None: the advanced appearance has the higher priority.

[matthewd72325586]

Thank you for the answer!

I am sure I have been able to use the eyedroper tool in the past. This seems like a very round about way to do it. But I am sure there are reasons.

[matthewd72325586 · Accepted solution]

How to add a gradient to text in case anyone else gets stuck.