How To Convert ArcGIS Pro Rectangle Text to Illustrator AIX Area Type Tool Text

Question

ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud converts wrapped text boxes created in Pro using the Rectangle Text tool to individual layers for each wrapped line, presumably using Illustrator's default Type Tool text format instead of Illustrator's Area Type Tool text format. Can we have the AIX format convert Pro's Rectangle Text to Illustrator's Area Type Tool text?

Thank you.

KeithWitt · Answer

Thanks for the tip! I also see that Illustrator has Type > Convert to Area Type in the menu. Another workaround in Illustrator is to copy and paste the multiple lines of point type or area type into a rectangle with the Area Type tool and then manually apply spaces between words where the line breaks occurred in Pro. You can also just copy the text directly between Pro and an Illustrator rectangle and keep the line breaks intact. I also attempted to link the Illustrator text boxes by forcing overflow between them, but it didn't work too well. My issue is easy to replicate: Pro layout with a single Rectangle Text box with text > export to AIX > open in Illustrator with ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud. Thanks for the help!

SarahBell · Answer

Hi Keith. I understand where you're coming from, as I've encountered this as well. Converting multiple lines of text from non-Adobe programs into an Adobe Illustrator Area Type is not possible at this time. In fact, even converting Adobe text into Illustrator's Area Type is tricky if the original program is not Adobe Illustrator itself. However, I will investigate this to see how we can enhance the experience. Please respond if you'd be willing to share a minimized ArcGIS Pro project and your AIX export to help us with this investigation. I'll follow up with you accordingly.

In the interim, there is a workaround that can get you partially there. Performing this workflow will get you partially to your desired result, and help demonstrate why it is difficult to convert to an area type:

1) make sure the multiple lines of text are not contained within any clipping paths or groups. This may mean removing clipping and groups.

2) Select all the text that you want in the area type, and then double-click this handle's circle. It is important that you double-click as single-click will do something else. After you double click, the multiple lines will still exist, but each line will be an area type rather than point type. You can then proceed as you wish.