Working with overflow text and text reflow

Each area type object contains an in port and an out port, which enable you to link to other objects and create a linked copy of the type object. An empty port indicates that all the text is visible and that the object isn't linked or overflowing. A red plus sign in an out port indicates that the object contains additional text. This remaining unseen text is called overflow text.



Note that since the text area created is too small, there is a plus sign in the out port.

There are two main methods for remedying overflow text.

• Thread the text to another text area.
• Re-size the text area.

Threading text

Thread, or connect, one text area to another to create a dynamic connection between the areas by following these steps:

1. Use the Selection tool to select the type area.
2. With the Selection tool, click the out port of the selected type area. The cursor changes to the loaded text icon.
3. Click and drag on an empty part of the artboard.
   
   Click on the out port of the overflowed text area. Click and drag to create a threaded text area.
   
   

Resizing the text area

For this next, you will see how to re-size the text area to make room for additional text.

1. If you have created additional text areas using the threading method, switch to the Selection tool and click to select and delete all but the original text area. Make sure the overflow text icon is still visible.
2. Use the Selection tool to drag a handle on the bounding box. Drag the handle on the middle of the right side so that the text area changes in size only horizontally. Click and drag to make the text area larger.
   
   Resizing the text using a middle handle.
   
   
   
3. Grab the lower right corner handle to see how dragging a corner handle will increase the size of the area both horizontally and vertically.
   
   Resizing the text area using a corner handle.
   
   
   
   Adjusting the type path using the Direct Selection tool is easiest when you're in Outline view.
   
   
   
4. You have completed the text flow. Choose File > Close. In the Adobe Illustrator alert window, choose not to save this file. This returns you to your original project.