How to Edit Text Block Borders and Fills in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user wants to format a text block with a border or background fill color but cannot locate the necessary editing options in the interface.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat XI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting a text block while editing or reviewing a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The user cannot find the specific formatting menus to adjust borders and fills that were previously accessible in older versions of the software.
Determine whether the text block you are trying to edit is a Comment (Text Box tool), an interactive Form Field, or standard document text, as the software uses completely different formatting menus for each object type.
Edit Borders and Fills for Text Box Comments
If the text block was added using the 'Add Text Box' comment tool, its border and background fill can be customized via the Properties dialog.
In Adobe Acrobat XI and later versions, the appearance properties for comment-based text boxes are managed through a dedicated dialog box rather than the main editing ribbon.
Use the Selection tool to click on the very edge of the text box you want to edit.
Right-click on the edge of the text box and select 'Properties' from the context menu to launch the Text Box Properties window.
Navigate to the 'Appearance' tab. Here you can change the 'Style', adjust line 'Thickness', and select specific colors for both the border and the 'Fill Color'.
Click 'OK' to save your settings and apply the new border and fill color to your text box.
Change Borders and Fills for PDF Form Fields
Use this method if the text block is an interactive form field designed for users to type data into.
Easily Add Text Boxes with Borders and Fills using WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly intuitive PDF editor where adding and formatting text blocks is straightforward. You do not have to dig through complex menus or switch editing modes to change text box borders, fills, or fonts.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Insert a Text Box: Navigate to the 'Insert' or 'Comment' tab, click on 'Text Box', and drag to draw a text block on your page.
- 3. Open Quick Properties: Click to select the text box. A quick floating toolbar or a right-side properties panel will immediately appear.
- 4. Customize Border and Fill: Click the 'Shape Fill' icon to choose a background color and the 'Shape Outline' icon to adjust the border color and thickness effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the properties bar go in Acrobat XI?
In Acrobat XI, the quick properties bar may not appear automatically when you select a text box. You can manually bring it up by pressing Ctrl+E (Windows) or Cmd+E (Mac) to quickly access font, border, and fill settings for your selected objects.
Can I remove the border from a text box completely?
Yes. Open the properties dialog for the text box or form field, navigate to the Appearance tab, and click the color swatch for 'Border Color'. Select 'No Color' or 'Transparent' to remove the border entirely.
Why can't I edit the background of standard PDF text?
Standard document text (edited via the 'Edit Document Text' tool) does not have a background fill or bounding box border property. If you need text with a background color, you must either draw a colored rectangle shape behind the text or recreate the text using a Text Box comment.
