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robsterlobster
Participant
June 12, 2018
Answered

Place text replaces apostrophe with red box?

  • June 12, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 1196 views

I am trying to place text from a very old (1999) Word document. Apostrophes and some of characters are replaced by a red rectangle with an X in the middle. I assume there is an encoding issue but I don't know how to fix it. I'm importing in Unicode UTF8. I have tried converting the Word doc to plaintext first, which was successful, but that did not help with importing to InDesign. I'm very new to InDesign and do not even know what to call this red rectangle with the X, which has made finding answers very difficult. I would really appreciate some help.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bill Silbert

That usually means that the font being used does not have those particular characters. Try selecting all of the text and changing to Helvetica or some other common font and see if all of the characters show up.

2 replies

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 12, 2018

Hi robsterlobster:

What font are you using for the text? And what font shows when you select the red boxes?

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    Bill Silbert
    Community Expert
    Bill SilbertCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    June 12, 2018

    That usually means that the font being used does not have those particular characters. Try selecting all of the text and changing to Helvetica or some other common font and see if all of the characters show up.

      R
      robsterlobsterAuthor
      Participant
      June 13, 2018

      Changing to Helvetica turns the boxes into "3a". I think I have solved the issue by converting the original file that I am placing to Helvetica in the first place, but the old file is still "loaded" into the place tool. I have to place it first before I can place the new file? How do I clear out my place tool?

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2018

      How do I clear out my place tool?

      Press Esc to clear a loaded text cursor.

      ~Barb

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
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