How to Fix Acrobat Pro DC Not Scrolling While Selecting Text on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to scroll downward while dragging to select text across pages in Acrobat Pro DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to select a large block of text that spans across multiple pages in a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- When dragging the cursor to the bottom of the window to select text, normal downward scrolling stops entirely. Scrolling only triggers when selecting upward from the bottom, which is exceptionally slow and inefficient.
Save your current PDF document and check if there are any pending updates for your macOS operating system or Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
Use the Shift-Click Selection Method
Instead of dragging the mouse continuously across pages, use the Shift key to instantly select large sections of text without relying on the window's auto-scroll feature.
This is the most reliable workaround for the macOS auto-scroll bug. By using keyboard modifiers, you bypass the need for the application to handle continuous scrolling while the mouse button is held down.
Click once at the very beginning of the text you wish to select.
Release the mouse button and use your trackpad or mouse wheel to scroll normally to the end of the desired text block.
Hold down the 'Shift' key on your Mac keyboard, then click at the end of the text. The entire section between your first and second click will be highlighted instantly.
Adjust Page Display Settings
Switching the PDF view mode can sometimes force the application to handle page boundaries and scrolling differently.
Disable the New Acrobat Interface
Since this scrolling behavior is strongly tied to Acrobat's newer macOS interface, reverting to the classic view can restore normal functionality.
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- 1. Download and Install: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free version for macOS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Pro DC struggle with scrolling while selecting text on Mac?
This issue is largely attributed to bugs within Acrobat's newer macOS user interface. The application struggles to register downward mouse-drag events across page boundaries, resulting in halted scrolling.
Can I use 'Select All' to fix the text highlighting problem?
You can use 'Select All' (Command+A) if you need every single word in the document. However, if you only need specific paragraphs spanning a few pages, the Shift-Click method is much more precise.
Will updating my macOS fix the Acrobat scrolling bug?
While keeping macOS updated is good practice, this specific issue is usually tied to Adobe's software. Updating Acrobat Pro DC itself via 'Help' > 'Check for Updates' is more likely to resolve the glitch.
