How to Fix Text Selection Issues in Adobe PDF Reader

2023/11/15

Key Notes

Identify if your PDF is scanned or encrypted.
Utilize the Rectangle tool as a workaround.
Consider using alternative PDF readers if issues persist.

Resolving Text Selection and Highlight Issues in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Many users encounter challenges when trying to select or highlight text in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Reader. This guide will provide you with actionable steps to troubleshoot these issues effectively.

Solutions to Text Selection Issues

Step 1: Verify if the Document is Scanned

Assess if the PDF in question is an image-based document. Scanned PDFs consist of images rather than selections of editable text. If this is the case, you will not be able to select text directly.

Step 2: Check for Document Encryption

Ensure that the PDF isn’t secured or encrypted. Restrictions might prevent any form of text selection, including editing or highlighting functionalities. You might need to ask the document owner for an unprotected version.

Step 3: Highlight Using the Rectangle Tool

As a workaround for highlighting text, utilize the rectangle drawing tool in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Here’s how:

Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Select the Draw tool from the sidebar, then choose the Rectangle option.
Draw the rectangle over the text you wish to highlight.
Right-click the rectangle and select Properties to adjust settings.

Pro Tip: Adjust the rectangle’s opacity to around 30% for optimal highlighting without obscuring the text.

Step 4: Repair or Reinstall Acrobat Reader

If the above solutions do not work, consider repairing Adobe Acrobat Reader. To do this, navigate to:

Close Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Open Windows Settings using Win + I.
Go to Apps > Installed apps, then find Adobe Acrobat.
Select the three-dot menu button, choose Modify, and then follow the prompts to Repair.

If repairing doesn’t resolve the issue, uninstall and reinstall the application.

Step 5: Use Alternative PDF Readers

If you’re still having trouble, consider trying other PDF readers like Foxit Reader or cloud-based PDF tools to view and annotate PDF files.

Summary

This guide has provided step-by-step solutions to resolve text selection issues within Adobe Acrobat Reader. To summarize, identifying if your PDF is scanned or secured, utilizing the rectangle tool, and ensuring your application is working correctly are effective troubleshooting methods.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide helped you address your text selection issues in Adobe Acrobat Reader. By following the outlined steps, you can improve your PDF editing experience.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I make text selectable in a secured PDF?

No, unless you have the password or permission from the document’s creator to remove security settings.

Is there a free tool to convert scanned PDFs to editable text?

Yes, tools like Google Drive allow for OCR (Optical Character Recognition) which can convert scanned documents to editable text.