Member Avatar for justinmyoung

Hi

Is there any way to link text in an illustrator document? I'm frustrated.

Thanks

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Quick clarification for : in Illustrator, “linking text” usually means threading copy from one text area into another, which is different from adding a clickable web hyperlink. Both came up here: is describing threading, while was thinking hyperlinks.

If your goal is flowing text across boxes, a few pro tips beyond the basics:

  • Make sure you are using Area Type (text inside a box), not Point Type. If needed, convert the object to Area Type, then continue threading. You can also visualize and manage threads with View > Show Text Threads, thread multiple shapes at once via Type > Threaded Text > Create, and break links with Type > Threaded Text > Remove Threading or by double‑clicking a port. ()
  • To avoid overset surprises, set columns, gutter, and inset in Type > Area Type Options, and consider the Auto Size preference for single boxes (it will not apply when boxes are threaded). ()

If you meant clickable hyperlinks:

  • Illustrator’s native workflow is limited. For reliable, accessible PDFs, export your artwork and add links in Acrobat using Tools > Edit PDF > Link > Add or Edit. It is faster and far more predictable, especially if you revise your Illustrator file later. (adobe.com)
  • Illustrator’s Attributes panel supports image map URLs intended for web exports, not for making live links in print PDFs. Even then, behavior can vary and has seen bugs in recent builds, so it is not a dependable PDF method. ()

Bottom line: use Illustrator to thread and format text; use Acrobat (or InDesign if you need robust hyperlinking while designing) to create the actual clickable links.

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Member Avatar for HI2Japan

You mean like a hyperlink? If so I would have to say why would you want to do that? Illustrator is for vector images not necessarily used with the web. If you are making a flyer or anything else that will be online, you would add a hyperlink after you insert the image (made with illustrator) within the page.

Member Avatar for Gilesy

Yes it's easy. You first need to create a text box. This is done by selecting the type tool, click and drag to the area you would like the text to flow. Paste your text in this area keeping in mind to leave enough text to flow into another text box. Select the black selection tool, click on the text box, you will note a small icon (a plus image sitting within a square) sitting on the bottom right side of the text box. This is telling you that the volume of text is more than the current size of text box. You can either extent this box to show the rest of the text or you can link it to another box. To link it with another box, choose the selection tool again, double click on the plus icon, the cursor changes to the add text box icon. Immediately click and drag where you want the second text box to go. You will see that illustrator will automatically connect the over flow of copy into the new box. Hope this helps.

Member Avatar for laura_ci

Yes it's easy. You first need to create a text box. This is done by selecting the type tool, click and drag to the area you would like the text to flow. Paste your text in this area keeping in mind to leave enough text to flow into another text box. Select the black selection tool, click on the text box, you will note a small icon (a plus image sitting within a square) sitting on the bottom right side of the text box. This is telling you that the volume of text is more than the current size of text box. You can either extent this box to show the rest of the text or you can link it to another box. To link it with another box, choose the selection tool again, double click on the plus icon, the cursor changes to the add text box icon. Immediately click and drag where you want the second text box to go. You will see that illustrator will automatically connect the over flow of copy into the new box. Hope this helps.

Ah yes I see, like in In-Design. For some reason I thought this post was referring to hyperlinks. Glad you understood the question :)

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