Convert Illustrator Point/Path Text to Area Text

Point text in Illustrator is a text field that is generated by a click of the text tool. Area text is generated by dragging a rectangle with the text tool. You can scale a area text to make room for more text or to control where the lines end. When you try to scale point text, however, the text itself grows or shrinks to fill the rectangular area. If you inherit a file with lots of point text, it can be difficult to edit.

This script will convert point text and text on a path into area text. You select multiple text fields and the script will convert them all. It does not take into account stories (linked text fields), so use with caution in those cases.

Download

(Compatibility: Illustrator CS & up)
Convert to Text Area.js
[right-click (ctrl-click on Mac) and choose Save Link As…]

Installation Instructions

Place the Convert to Text Area.js file into the Scripts directory within your Illustrator application directory:

Windows > C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator {version}\Presets\Scripts
Mac OS X > Applications/Adobe Illustrator {version}/Presets/Scripts

Note: In CS4, the directory path will include a region directory (e.g., Adobe Illustrator CS4/Presets/en_US/Scripts).

Usage

Select text field(s), choose File > Scripts > Convert to Text Area.

Looking for the reverse?

Don’t worry we won’t leave you hanging. Download the file below. Installation and usage are similar to above.

Convert to Point Text.js
[right-click (ctrl-click on Mac) and choose Save Link As…]

Another Utility Script

If you want to select only text frames, to scale them or otherwise you can use the script below. If you already have a selection, it deselects anything that is not text (i.e. it selects within your selection), otherwise will search the entire document.

Select Text Only.js
[right-click (ctrl-click on Mac) and choose Save Link As…]

Get updates from Ajar Productions

Sign up today and get the InDesign Split Text premium extension for free!

Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Join the Conversation

  1. Alan says:

    Thank you for the text area script! Very Useful…

  2. Anne says:

    Thank you for this text area script. Just saved me hours of work!!!

    1. Justin says:

      Hi Anne,
      So glad to hear it! For additional time-savers, you might be interested in our newsletter.
      Best,
      Justin

  3. Sten says:

    Yup, like others before me – much appreciated! Saves alot of time. It’s the small things eh’ 🙂

    1. Justin says:

      Glad to hear it, Sten!

  4. Violeta says:

    THANK YOU, for these scripts 🙂 You have no idea how useful they are when you are designer 🙂

    1. Justin says:

      Hi Violeta, so glad I could help you! Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll send helpful stuff to your inbox.

  5. Claudia says:

    That’s great! Thank you so much! Since I don’t anything about how to write sripts, do you think there’s a way to convert to Area Text a Point Text Box rotated 90° keeping it as it is? I hope I’ve been clear….
    Thnx

    1. Justin says:

      Hi Claudia,
      Yes, probably so. If you’re using a newer version of Illustrator, you may not even need a script: https://creativepro.com/how-to-control-point-and-area-type-illustrator/

  6. Alif Khan says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this. Your article was so effective for me. I followed your great instructions.

  7. Koushik Roy says:

    Thanks for sharing your illustrator tips. Your article is so important for me. Thank You.

  8. John Samuel Joy says:

    Hi Justin,

    Is it possible to convert pointText to a group via Script? To be more clear, when we select a pointText in Illustrator and click on “Expand” tool, the text (sort of) is exploded. I wanted to ask if you know how I can automate this Expand feature with thru ExtendScript?

    Thanks

  9. Julia Miller says:

    Hello, Justin. Thanks a bunch for great scripts. Although I seem to have a problem with Select Text Only script. Running in Illustrator CC 2022. I have text fields generated inside Illustrator and also point text exported from PowerPoint in multilayered document with layers I need locked. When I run the script, I get error 8705 (The entire layers on the document should be visible and it should be unlocked). Is there a way to work around it and apply the script only to an unlocked visible or selected layer?

  10. Thanks for the great instructions, my work has really improved

  11. We work in illustrator but really following the useful points for us it seems like it might take more time to spend I think.

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply to Justin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *