How to Fix Acrobat Text Box Font and Color Options Not Working
Question details
Users are unable to modify the font style, text size, or font color when typing inside a text box in Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to annotate or edit a PDF by customizing the typography inside a newly created or existing text box.
- Observed behavior
- The editing controls for the text box font, size, and color become unresponsive and fail to apply the requested formatting changes.
Ensure your computer is connected to the internet so the application can connect to the update servers, and save any open PDF documents to prevent data loss before restarting.
Update Adobe Acrobat to the Latest Version
Installing the official update 19.021.20049 or a newer release patches the known bug causing text formatting controls to freeze.
This specific text-editing bug was identified in an older release of Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader DC. The Acrobat Desktop Team has since released a dedicated fix via an official software update. Triggering this update will restore full functionality to your PDF text box formatting tools.
Launch your installation of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader DC on your desktop.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates...' from the dropdown menu.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install update 19.021.20049 (or a later version). Once the installation completes, restart the application to apply the changes.
Easily Add and Format Text Boxes in PDFs with WPS Office
Avoid update errors and formatting bugs by using WPS Office to edit your PDFs. The built-in WPS PDF editor allows you to easily insert text boxes, change fonts, adjust sizes, and modify colors with a responsive and intuitive interface.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office on your device and open the PDF document you wish to edit.
- 2. Insert a Text Box: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Text Box' to place it anywhere on your document.
- 3. Format your text: Select the text inside the box. Use the floating toolbar or the right-side properties panel to effortlessly change the font style, size, and color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I edit text in my PDF even after updating Acrobat?
If you still cannot edit text, the PDF might be secured with editing restrictions or it could be a scanned image rather than a document with selectable text. You can check the document's security properties under File > Properties > Security.
Can I change the default font for new text boxes in my PDF reader?
Yes, after formatting a single text box with your desired font and color, you can right-click its edge and select 'Make Current Properties Default' so future text boxes automatically share the same styling.
How do I access the text box properties toolbar if it disappears?
If the properties toolbar or pane isn't visible while editing, press Ctrl+E (Windows) or Cmd+E (Mac) to quickly open the Properties Bar, which displays the font, size, and color options for the currently selected text box.
