Unable to edit properties of text box or callout comments in Acrobat

Last updated on May 24, 2023 | Also applies to Reader

Cannot edit text box properties or callout comments

Solution: Turn on the properties toolbar

To make further changes to an existing text box, or callout comment, turn on the properties toolbar so you can change the text box properties or callout tool comment. To edit the text inside the comment, double-click inside the comment to select and edit the text.

Add a text box

Choose Tools > Comment & Markup > Text Box Tool.
Click in the PDF.
Choose View > Toolbars > Properties Bar, and set the color, alignment, and font attributes for the text.
Type the text. Text wraps automatically when it reaches the right edge of the box.
(Optional) To make further changes to the text box:
1. Using the Select tool or the Text Box tool, click an edge of the text box to select it, and then drag a corner to resize it. Use the Properties toolbar to change the border and fill options.
2. Double-click the text box to edit the text or change the text attributes. Drag across text to select it, and then select options from the Properties toolbar.
  
  View an Adobe Captivate demonstration of this information.
To delete the text box, select it, and then press Delete.

Note: You can also paste a block of text by selecting and copying the text in any application, selecting the Hand tool in Acrobat, and choosing Edit > Paste.

Add a callout

Choose Tools > Comment & Markup > Callout tool.
Click once to set the location of the end point, and click again to set the location of the text box.
Choose View > Toolbars > Properties Bar, and select the color, alignment, and font attributes for the text.
Type the text. Text wraps automatically when it reaches the right edge of the box.
(Optional) To make further changes to the text box:
1. To resize the callout, select it and drag any of the handles that appear.
2. To move the text box, click inside the box and drag it.
3. To move the entire callout, click either the end-point line or an edge of the text box, and drag it.
4. To change the color, opacity, or line characteristics, use the Select tool to right-click the callout, choose Properties, and select the options you want.

The following Adobe Captivate demonstration illustrates how to edit the properties of a text box or callout comment. For more information about viewing this demo, see View Adobe Captivate demos.

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