Selecting Type When You Want

Selecting Type When You Want

If you work with type and objects, you may discover how annoying it is to select an object that’s lurking behind type. Even when you click where there’s obviously no type, you still select the type instead of the object behind it. This happens because one of Illustrator’s most annoying features is turned on. The Type Area Select feature automatically selects type when you click anywhere in its area — not just when you click directly on the type or its path.

Turn off this (ahem) feature by choosing Edit→Preferences→Type & Auto Tracing. In the Type & Auto Tracing Preferences dialog box, remove the check mark from the Type Area Select check box. Click OK. Breathe easier. Henceforth, type shall be selected whenever you click directly on a letter or on its path, and at no other time, by royal proclamation of the user.