The Area Type tool is used to type inside rectangular and non-rectangular areas of shapes. You can do this for any basic shape. Refer to Figure 8-131.

Figure 8-131.  Use the Area Type tool when you want to fill text in rectangular and no rectangular shapes

With the tool, simply click the stroke or path of a shape that is noncompound and with no mask applied. The shape will then lose its stroke and fill and then fill with placeholder text flowing left to right horizontally. While the text is highlighted, you can begin to type new text. Refer to Figure 8-132.

Figure 8-132.  Example of highlighted text in various shapes and while the text is highlighted typing in new text

Text from these boxes can be threaded to another text box as well.

Use the Selection tool when you want to move, rotate, or scale the area type boxes. You can, however, use the Direct Selection tool to select the path’s stroke and then alter the stroke and fill again using the Swatches panel to select color. Refer to Figure 8-133.

Figure 8-133.  Use the Direct Selection tool to select an area type that you want to alter the fill or stroke using the Swatches panel

If you need to set additional settings for margins, offset, and alignment for rows and columns, use Type ➤ Area Type Options dialog box to change such things as setting of width, height, number, rows and columns (number, span, and gutter), offset (inset spacing (positive and negative numbers), first baseline, and min), alignment for horizontal and vertical, options for text flow, and auto size for rectangle areas. This dialog box is also available for the Vertical Type Area tool. Refer to Figure 8-134.

Figure 8-134.  Area Type Options dialog box can be used to adjust the type spacing within an area if its spacing is too close to the stroke

Some areas, however, may need additional text alignments done using the Control panel and text alignment options as we will see shortly. Refer to Figure 8-135.

Figure 8-135.  Some shapes may need additional paragraph alignment using the Control panel rather than just the Area Type Options

The same settings are true for the Vertical Area Type tool, but this time, the type flows in a vertical way though the text, as mentioned earlier, when working with the type tool, may not be best for English-speaking text. Refer to Figure 8-136.

Figure 8-136.  Use the Vertical Area Type tool when you need the type to be aligned vertically in your area, and then you can color the fill and stroke of the area afterward