How to Fix Grayed-Out Drawing Markup Tools in Adobe Acrobat XI
Question details
The user is unable to use specific drawing markup tools like the cloud, polygon, and connected-line because they are grayed out or unavailable in the toolbar.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro XI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to annotate or add custom drawing shapes to a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The cloud, polygon, and connected-line drawing markup options are grayed out and cannot be selected.
Ensure that you have a PDF document actively open in Adobe Acrobat XI, as all markup tools remain natively grayed out when no file is loaded.
Disable Touch Mode in Acrobat Preferences
Adobe Acrobat XI disables certain advanced drawing tools when Touch Mode is active. Disabling this mode restores full functionality to all markup tools.
Touch Mode adjusts the user interface for touchscreen devices, making buttons larger and more spaced out. However, complex drawing tools like polygons and connected lines are disabled in this mode to prevent input errors on touchscreens.
Click on the 'Edit' menu at the top of the Acrobat window and select 'Preferences' from the drop-down menu.
In the Preferences dialog box, select 'General' from the Categories list on the left-hand pane.
Under the 'Basic Tools' section, locate the 'Touch Mode' drop-down menu and change its setting to 'Never'.
Click 'OK' to save your changes, then completely close and restart Adobe Acrobat XI to activate the drawing tools.
Check Document Security Restrictions
If the PDF is locked by the author, commenting and markup tools will be restricted and grayed out.
Use WPS PDF to Quickly Add Drawing Markups and Shapes
Avoid complex touch mode settings and restricted menus. WPS PDF offers a highly intuitive, built-in PDF editor that allows you to effortlessly add clouds, polygons, text boxes, and lines to your documents.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
- 2. Open the PDF File: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select the PDF document you want to edit.
- 3. Access Comment Tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab located in the top ribbon menu.
- 4. Draw Your Markups: Click on 'Shapes' or the specific drawing tool (like lines or clouds) to begin directly annotating your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are all commenting tools grayed out in my PDF?
If all commenting tools are grayed out, the PDF is likely secured with a permissions password. The document author has restricted commenting and editing, meaning you will need the password to unlock these features under the Security properties.
Does Touch Mode affect other tools in Adobe Acrobat XI?
Yes. Touch Mode intentionally spaces out buttons for easier finger tapping and disables certain precision-based markup tools, like the polygon and connected line, which are difficult to operate accurately on a touch screen.
How do I know if my PDF is password-protected?
You can usually tell a PDF is password-protected if the word '(SECURED)' appears in the top title bar next to the document's file name. You can also verify this by checking File > Properties > Security.
