How to Keep Adobe Acrobat Replace Selected Text Tool Active
Question details
The user wants to keep the Replace Selected Text and Insert Text annotation tools continuously active after their initial use.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing or annotating a PDF document where multiple text replacements or insertions are required.
- Observed behavior
- The annotation tools stop working and automatically deselect after a single use, forcing the user to select them repeatedly.
Ensure you have your PDF document open in Adobe Acrobat and the Comment or Annotation toolbar is visible on your screen.
Use the Pin Icon to Keep the Annotation Tool Selected
Activate the 'Keep tool selected' feature by clicking the pin icon, allowing continuous use of annotation tools without reselecting.
Adobe Acrobat defaults to switching back to the selection tool after a single annotation is made to prevent accidental markups. The built-in pin icon overrides this behavior.
Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the Comment tools, and select the 'Replace Selected Text' or 'Insert Text' tool.
Look for the pin icon (Keep tool selected) located beneath or next to the active annotation tool and click it to activate continuous mode.
Make multiple text replacements or insertions in your document. The tool will remain active until you manually switch tools or press the Esc key.
Annotate PDFs Continuously with WPS Office
WPS Office provides an intuitive PDF editor where you can easily highlight, insert, and replace text. Its smart annotation tools are designed for continuous workflows without requiring hidden settings.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document.
- 2. Access the Comment Tab: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab on the top ribbon to access all annotation tools.
- 3. Select and Apply Tools: Choose your desired text markup tool. WPS PDF allows smooth and continuous application of text annotations natively.
- 4. Save Changes: After completing your annotations, click 'Save' to retain all your PDF modifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Acrobat text replacement tool turn off after one use?
By default, Adobe Acrobat reverts to the selection tool after you make a single annotation. You must click the 'Pin' icon to keep the tool selected continuously.
How do I turn off the continuous annotation mode in Acrobat?
To exit continuous mode, you can simply press the 'Esc' key on your keyboard, click the pin icon again to unpin it, or manually select the standard Arrow or Selection tool.
Does this pin feature work for all commenting tools in Acrobat?
Yes, the 'Keep tool selected' pin icon is available for most markup tools, including Highlight, Strikethrough, Insert Text, and various drawing tools.
