Fix Adobe Acrobat Cannot Move or Resize Comments with Keyboard
Question details
The user is unable to use keyboard shortcuts to move or resize PDF comments, text boxes, and rectangles following a software update.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A firm managing documents with over 1,000 annotations needs precise keyboard controls for editing text boxes and shape comments.
- Observed behavior
- After a recent update, pressing the keyboard arrow keys fails to move or alter the size of selected PDF comments, text boxes, and rectangles.
Ensure you have saved a backup copy of your PDF document and check your current Adobe Acrobat version number under Help > About Adobe Acrobat before attempting a rollback.
Roll Back to a Previous Adobe Acrobat Update
Since the bug was introduced by a recent update, reverting to the previous stable build is the most effective temporary fix for restoring keyboard functionalities.
Software updates can sometimes introduce unintended bugs affecting specific features like keyboard object manipulation. Rolling back your software ensures your firm avoids unnecessary downtime while waiting for an official patch.
Close Acrobat, open your computer's Control Panel or Settings, navigate to installed applications, and uninstall the current version of Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017.
Visit the Adobe HelpX website and navigate to the Acrobat release notes page to locate the installation files for the previous supported build.
Download the installer for the older, stable build and follow the on-screen prompts to reinstall Acrobat. Once installed, test moving a comment with your keyboard.
Apply Temporary Workarounds and Check for Patches
Adobe often releases quick hotfixes for known issues, or you can use localized UI workarounds to force the software to recognize the comment boundary box.
Contact Adobe Customer Care
If the issue persists and affects critical business operations, escalating the issue to Adobe Customer Care will help log the bug and provide you with specialized technical support.
Easily Manage and Resize PDF Comments with WPS PDF
If Acrobat's updates are causing operational downtime, seamlessly switch to WPS Office. WPS PDF provides a smooth, bug-free editing environment where you can easily add, move, and resize comments, text boxes, and shapes using both your mouse and keyboard.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and click on 'PDF Edit' to load your document containing the annotations.
- 2. Access the Comment Tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab on the top ribbon to view and manage all existing text boxes, highlights, and shapes.
- 3. Select the Object: Click directly on any comment, text box, or rectangle to select it. A bounding box will appear around the object.
- 4. Move and Resize Effortlessly: Use your keyboard arrow keys to precisely nudge and move the comment, or use the corner handles to drag and resize it smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my keyboard shortcuts stop working for comments in Acrobat?
Software updates can sometimes introduce unexpected bugs or compatibility conflicts with specific operating system versions (like certain Windows 10 updates), which may temporarily disable keyboard controls for manipulating objects.
Can I resize PDF text boxes without using the keyboard?
Yes, even if the keyboard shortcuts fail, you can usually click on the text box or comment to highlight it, then manually click and drag the corner handles of the bounding box using your mouse.
How do I find out which version of Adobe Acrobat I am running?
Open your Adobe Acrobat software, click on the 'Help' menu at the top of the window, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. A dialog box will appear displaying your exact release version and build number.
