Adobe Community: Text in a text box disappears upon clicking outside the text box

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Text in a text box disappears upon clicking outside the text box

Jun 7, 2012 4:52 PM

Categories: Macintosh Tags: #acrobatxpro #text_boxes

I am working on a Macbook Pro in Lion 10.7. I am using Adobe Acrobat X Pro.

I create a text box and type words in the text box. As soon as I click outside the text box, the text in the textbox disappears. The text box is still there. As soon as I click back inside the text box the text reappears. I've confirmed that the text is black.

I've seen multiple posts on the same problem but none of the solutions I've seen work.

This is so frustrating that I'm giving up on Adobe Acrobat X Pro and using a free PDF editing program in using Windows 7 in Parallels on my Macbook. Given how much Acrobat X Pro cost, I'm pretty fed up with Adobe generally.

I followed a link to a solution to modify the register in Windows but I don't know how to do that on a Mac. Morever, it's simply absurd that Acrobat Pro X is utterly useless for editing a simple PDF document. This isn't a form. It's a PDF document with no other fields. I just want to add text.

Any help would be appreciated.

17557 Views 35 Replies Latest reply: Mona Howell, Apr 20, 2013 7:03 PM

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1. MichaelKazlow,

Jun 7, 2012 5:25 PM in reply to robearbeach

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Can you post an pdf file that has this issue? If you have no where else to post it you can create an account at acrobat.com. These forums to do not support posting pdf files.

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2. robearbeach,

Jun 7, 2012 6:04 PM in reply to MichaelKazlow

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I posted it. Here is the link: https://acrobat.com/#d=GFZNMdVxb-CH0sOtC9dHlg

There is a text box just under the handwritten material under "Other" If you click on it, then in it, you will see some text in the text box. Once you click outside the text box the text will disappear again.

Bob

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3. pranavj,

Jun 8, 2012 12:03 AM in reply to robearbeach

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Hi Robearbeach,

It seems that you are using MAC Preview to fill up the forms. I would rather ask you to use Adobe Reader for Mac instead of Mac Previewer.

You can download reader for mac from the below mentoned link

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?platform=Macintosh& product=10

Hope this help.

~Pranav

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4. GKaiseril,

Jun 8, 2012 6:38 AM in reply to robearbeach

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If the user used MacIntosh Preview to process the form, then there is a minor corruption of the form that can be fixed. Script to Fix Mac OSX Preview.app Form Fill and Save

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5. George Johnson,

Jun 8, 2012 9:21 AM in reply to robearbeach

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For those who haven't looked at the posted document, it is not a form and there's no indication that Preview was used.

The problem seems to be the the opacity of the text (typewriter) annotation is set to a very low value, so it cannot be seen normally. I do know that there have been various bugs reported relating to this problem, but I don't know how to fix it on the Mac. It is possible on Windows to edit a registry setting, so it may be possible to edit the corresponding plist entry. The other approach is to simply reinstall Acrobat, although I would try a repair first.

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6. robearbeach,

Jun 8, 2012 11:45 AM in reply to pranavj

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One of the problems I've had is that I have found this problem listed over and over and 90% of the responses blame Mac Preview.

I am not using Mac Preview. I am opening Adobe Acrobat X Pro version 10.1.3, then selecting file, open, then the document. I don't know where the idea that this problem is related to Mac Preview comes from but that is not the problem.

The problem appears in Adobe Acrobat X Pro version 110.1.3.

Any other ideas?

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7. robearbeach,

Jun 8, 2012 11:47 AM in reply to George Johnson

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I have adjusted the opacity using Adobe Acrobat X Pro's options for text boxes. Is there another place where I can adjust opacity. I've highlighted all the text and selected black, red, green and blue. The text appears fine and very dark while I'm in the text box. The text disappears when I click outside the text box.

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8. robearbeach,

Jun 8, 2012 11:53 AM in reply to GKaiseril

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Oh, and it's not a form. It's a simple adobe PDF document on which I am trying to insert a simple text box.

It is very frustrating and if I were running windows there is much simpler and easier to use program called PDF-Exchange Viewer that works infinitely better than Adobe Acrobat. Unfortunately, running Windows in a virtual machine is a giant pain also. So I'd love to figure out how to fix Acrobat X Pro for this simple task.

I guess I'm venting a little out of frustration and I really would apprecate any help.

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9. rayhogge,

Jun 26, 2012 12:47 PM in reply to robearbeach

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I'm having exactly the same problem in both text boxes and typewriter tool. Anyone found a solution?

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10. robearbeach,

Jun 27, 2012 2:31 PM in reply to rayhogge

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I have not seen any solution. Everyone who makes a suggestion immediately responds that you are using preview. Once you explain that you are opening Adobe Acrobat X Pro, then clicking open from the file menu in that program, they go silent.

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11. rayhogge,

Jun 27, 2012 2:50 PM in reply to robearbeach

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I have seen several threads indication the problem can be fixed by changing the value "dopacity" from the original value (a decimal number close to zero) to 1 in the following registry item:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\{Acrobat Version #}\Annots\cAnnots\cFreeText_003aFreeTextTypewriter

I tried it and it worked ... once. When you close the text box created by the typewriter tool the text remains visible, but as soon as you create a second text box with the typewriter tool and close it the text again disappears. I immediately looked back at the registry, and somehow the registry value of "dopacity" is immediately being changed from 1 back to the original value.

I don't know what Adobe did to the typewriter tool, but whatever it was made it uttery useless. I would switch back to Acrobat 8, in which the typewriter tool worked fine, except my new computer is 64 bit and Acrobat 8 (according to Adobe) does not work properly with 64 bit systems. I used the typewriter tool extensively at work (until now), so I am looking for pdf software from a different vendor that has a typewriter function that works properly. If anyone knows of any, a recommendation will be appreciated I have given up on Acrobat X.

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12. robearbeach,

Jun 27, 2012 3:01 PM in reply to rayhogge

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I'm glad that worked. Are you on a MAC or Windows? I don't know how to do that change on a MAC (which is what I am using).

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13. rayhogge,

Jun 27, 2012 3:05 PM in reply to robearbeach

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It did NOT work. The problem remains. But in any event, I am on Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.

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14. robearbeach,

Jun 27, 2012 3:17 PM in reply to rayhogge

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That's too bad. This whole thing is so irritating that I've abandoned Adobe Acrobat X Pro which is very unintuitive and hard to use. I run a $40 program called PDF-Tools from Tracker Software. It only runs on Windows based PCs so I have to run it in Parallels but It's like a Mac: it just works, it's intuitive and my dyastolic blood pressure has gone down 20 points.

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15. LoriAUC,

Jun 28, 2012 6:27 AM in reply to robearbeach

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Do you experience this issue in all your PDFs or just those scanned using OmniPage? The reason I ask is because the file you posted has a General File Format Issue when running a low-level syntax checker on the file. Have you tried doing a Save As on the file prior to adding text using the typewriter tool. I've seen a few of these issues before on PDFs created using non-Adobe tools such as OmniPage.

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16. robearbeach,

Jul 1, 2012 6:23 PM in reply to LoriAUC

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I've never used OmniPage. This occurs in any document opened in Adobe Acrobat X Pro whether it is created from a Word or Pages Doc. scanned in from an extern scanner or emailed from another computer and opended in Adobe Acrobat X Pro. Once you add a text box USING ADOBE ACROBAT X PRO in a document OPENED IN ADOBE ACROBAT PRO X not in Mac Preview or any other application, once you click outside the text box, the text in the text box disappears. Clicking back inside the text box reveals the text, then it disappears after clicking outside the text box again.

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17. GKaiseril,

Jul 2, 2012 6:54 AM in reply to robearbeach

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A link to a sample PDF would help us see exactly what is happening and what the properties of the problem item are.

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18. LoriAUC,

Jul 2, 2012 7:32 AM in reply to GKaiseril

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Hi George - he did post us a link earlier in the thread. Here is the URL:
https://acrobat.com/#d=GFZNMdVxb-CH0sOtC9dHlg

This particular example lists the creation tool as OmniPage CSDK 15.0.

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19. robearbeach,

Jul 5, 2012 1:20 PM in reply to rayhogge

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I have another Macbook Pro on which Adobe Acrobat X Pro works perfectly and this problem does not exist. I wish I knew where these preferences existed and I'd just copy the file from the working one to the non-working one. Pathetic that there is no easy solution to these for a product at this price though.

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20. GKaiseril,

Jul 5, 2012 1:48 PM in reply to robearbeach

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There are many programs that do not follow the Adobe "Stanadard" or there are differences caused by different OS or programing implementations on different OS.

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21. robearbeach,

Jul 5, 2012 1:49 PM in reply to GKaiseril

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I don't use Apple Preview. I just want to get Adobe Acrobat X Pro to work.

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22. The Un-dr.,

Jul 10, 2012 9:13 PM in reply to robearbeach

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I am having the same problem on my iMac (Lion). Very frustrating. Anyone?!

EDIT: I just discovered what may be a workaround:

Go to TOOLS on the far right hand side (upper corner next to COMMENT and SHARE).

Click the FORMS section.

Then MORE FORM OPTIONS.

Next click MANAGE FORM DATA and then EXPORT DATA.

You then save the file to a folder etc. and you get a "fdf" file. ("fdf" file?! Go figure.)

I opened that .fdf file and this basically opens the .pdf file (as far as I can tell).

Then I I saved that file--nothing special, just went to the FILE menu and clicked SAVE.

This apparenty saved the original .pdf file with the text intact!

See if that works for you.

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23. robearbeach,

Jul 24, 2012 12:52 PM in reply to LoriAUC

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I do not know how the link could have been created in Omnipage because I don't own it and haven't the slightest idea what it is.

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24. robearbeach,

Jul 24, 2012 12:57 PM in reply to The Un-dr.

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Nothing happened when I did export.

I cannot fathom that Adobe cannot fix this simple glitch which makes the product not just useless but frustrating beyond belief.

The idea of paying this kind of money for a program in which you cannot edit a simple text box is incomprehensible.

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25. robearbeach,

Jul 24, 2012 12:59 PM in reply to GKaiseril

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So you're saying Adobe Acrobat X Pro doesn't work on the Mac OS?! That's hard to imagine but apparently all too true.

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26. Sabian Zildjian,

Jul 24, 2012 2:48 PM in reply to robearbeach

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OK, the problem is that the annotations, of which there are three, are using transparency in an odd way for Acrobat 4 compatibility. I know it's made by Acrobat X but stay with me if you want to workaround the issue.
Whether that transparency was on purpose or not it really doesn't matter. What you need to do to fix the file that you posted and probably any others that display this behavior is:
1. Go to the "Print Production" panel.
2. Select "Preflight"
3. In the Preflight window, select "Compatible with Acrobat 4"
4. Click the "Analyze and Fix" button
5. Save the file to a new name
6. Click the Save button.

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27. Test Screen Name,

Jul 24, 2012 2:49 PM in reply to robearbeach

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Well, there's a lot going on here. Part of the confusion is the different terms that are being used, and where you posted. Although you've confirmed you aren't working on a form, you DID post in the Forms forum, so it isn't too surprising you got a lot of advice about forms.

I think I've discovered something by looking at your file and experimenting. You're adding text, probably the only way you've found so far. This is something rather old and creaky called the 'typewriter tool', which not so many use today. However, in Acrobat X it's easy to find under "Add or edit text box". What you add isn't like ordinary text on the page, it's really a kind of comment.

There are lots more kinds of comments under the Comment tab, including some much more powerful tools for adding text. You might find you prefer these, but let's look at the Typewriter problem.

Your problem is that your comments are less than 1% opaque. That is, pretty much transparent, and so they are invisible. How did it happen? Don't know, but I have a guess. Doesn't matter, I may have a fix. The problem is that this opacity thing is a real setting but with no tools for setting it. Now it's set, you have to get rid of it somehow.

1. You say, I think, you have a computer where all is well. On that computer, make a Typewriter text box. Save the PDF, and get it to the problem computer.

2. Open the good PDF on the problem computer.

3. Select the Comment tab. Look for the one you added under the comments list.

4. Double Click on the entry in the comments list and make sure it selects the right one. It must be the typewriter box.

5. Right click on the entry in the comments list and choose Properties.

6. Click on "Make Properties Default" and click OK.

If all is well, the good (100% opacity) setting will now apply to all future typewriter boxes.

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28. robearbeach,

Jul 24, 2012 2:58 PM in reply to Test Screen Name

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This didn't work. I saved the document created on the other computer and the text box was fine on the computer with the problem. The text box was visible on the problem computer and I saved the properties as default. I used the same document on the problem computer and created a new text box under the visible text box on the document. When I clicked outside the new text box, the text became invisible. The text in the text box created on the other computer remains visible.

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29. Test Screen Name,

Jul 24, 2012 3:04 PM in reply to robearbeach

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Rats. Worked for me, to the extent I could fake up the problem. You seem to have something different.

I have two more suggestions.

1. Try using a different way to add text. Maybe the text box tool, first under Drawing Markups.
2. Give Adobe a chance to help you by contacting tech support. This will probably cost.

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30. robearbeach,

Jul 24, 2012 3:06 PM in reply to robearbeach

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My mistake. This worked!!!!!!!!

It didn't at first but then I closed Adobe, reopened and did it again. It now works in all Adobe documents.

I can't believe Adobe hasn't posted a fix but THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

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31. robearbeach,

Jul 24, 2012 3:06 PM in reply to Test Screen Name

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THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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32. RLind1,

Jan 11, 2013 6:39 AM in reply to robearbeach

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I'm pretty sure I'm having the same problem described, although the fix did not work. Recently, on my Win 7 machine, using Acrobat X Pro I started having trouble. Whenever I open a javascript interface window, type in the box, and either move my mouse into or out of the window, the white background turns grey and the text becomes invisible. This happens whether I'm using the Console, Document Javascripts, Edit All Javascripts, or the javascript window associated with a given textbox.

The text is still there, because if I select it all, it becomes visible momentarily, until I mouse of the window.

I have reinstalled Acrobat X Pro, and tried the compatability Analyze and Fix suggested above, but no conflicts were found.

Help would be appreciated!

RL

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33. LoriAUC,

Jan 11, 2013 5:53 PM in reply to RLind1

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Can you see the text box comment listed in the Comments Pane > Comments List panel?

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34. RLind1,

Jan 14, 2013 6:19 AM in reply to LoriAUC

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Hi Lori- the comments pane works fine.

The issue is only with the javascript interfaces. If I open a field's javascript window, or a document javascript, etc, the window acts funny. Initially, depending on my mouse position, the text either disappears when I mouse into or mouse out of the window.

With the text not showing, if I resize the window, the text becomes visible. If I then move the curser into the window, the text disappears, and the background of the window goes from white to grey.

So, my workaround has been to resize window to show, and then perform all navigation with the keyboard arrows.

Also, if I stretch the window "too" large, the entire program freezes, and I need to hard restart it.

-RL

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35. Mona Howell,

Apr 20, 2013 7:03 PM in reply to The Un-dr.

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Actually, this is not just a work-around. This is the answer!

I tried it and realized that the point seemed to be that I needed to verify that I trusted/wanted access to the data. Once I created the .fdf document, I got a bright yellow banner across the top where the purple one used to be and clicking on that to "access the data" gave me a properly filled out form. Not very intuitive, but I guess in the interest of verifying that I really wanted to access data from a downloaded file...I guess that was the solution?

Anyway, you are CORRECT! It worked. My form is now readable, printable, etc., just the way it was when it left the filler-outer's desktop and took off toward my computer.

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