Skip to main content
susanb23057128
susanb23057128
Inspiring
August 23, 2017
Answered

How to edit text in multiple groups in ai file?

  • August 23, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 9086 views

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

      Correct answer susanb23057128

      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.


      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

      2 replies

      Jacob Bugge
      Community Expert
      Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 23, 2017

      Susan,

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

      susanb23057128
      susanb23057128Author
      Inspiring
      August 23, 2017

      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
      Community Expert
      Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 23, 2017

      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?

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 23, 2017

      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
      susanb23057128Author
      Inspiring
      August 23, 2017

      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
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 23, 2017

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

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