To global edit text in Illustrator using the "Start Global Edit" feature, you begin by selecting a text object that you want to modify across similar instances in your artwork. Illustrator's Global Edit functionality helps you quickly select and make changes to multiple objects that share similar characteristics.
Steps for Global Editing Text
Here's a simple breakdown of how to use this feature:
- Select a Text Object: Start by clicking on one instance of the text you wish to edit globally. This is the object Illustrator will use as a reference to find similar text elements.
- Access Global Edit: With the text object selected, navigate to the Properties panel.
- Click Start Global Edit: Select an object and click Start Global Edit in the Quick Actions section of the Properties panel.
- Review Selected Objects: Once you click "Start Global Edit," Illustrator will automatically select all objects it identifies as similar to the one you initially picked. All similar objects will now be selected.
- Refine Selection (Optional): Sometimes, Illustrator might select objects you don't intend to edit. You can easily remove unwanted objects from the selection by holding down the Shift key and clicking on the object you wish to deselect. You can deselect any object in the group that you don't want to edit by holding down the Shift key and clicking it.
- Perform Global Edits: With the desired text objects selected, you can now make your edits. Any changes you apply (like changing the font, size, color, alignment, or even the text content if applicable to all selected instances) will be applied simultaneously to all selected text objects.
What Makes Text Objects "Similar"?
Illustrator determines similarity based on various properties of the selected object. For text, this could include:
- The exact text string content
- Font family, style, and size
- Color (fill and stroke)
- Appearance attributes
The "Start Global Edit" feature is particularly powerful when you have multiple identical labels, buttons, or repeated text elements throughout your design that you need to update quickly.
Using the Global Edit feature streamlines your workflow, allowing you to maintain consistency and save significant time compared to selecting and editing each text instance individually.
