Annotating in columns

[kllpmath]

I would like to highlight, underline, etc. text in a pdf document that is arranged in columns. The latest version of PDF-XChange Viewer doesn't seem capable of doing this (unless there's a trick to it that I'm missing). This link should open an example of the type of document I'd like to annotate: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08 ... -19899.pdf

Is this feature available in one of the for-purchase packages?

(I used to be able to work with columns using Foxit, but their newer versions seem to have lost this functionality. Unfortunately, I don't remember what version I had that worked.)

I am using the Windows 7 operating system.

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

Hi kllpmath

have you tried holding the Alt key while selecting? It modifies the way the selection works such that you can better work with columns.

Having said that the document you referred to already allows me to select by column, the ALT key here improves that selection also.

hth

[kllpmath]

Using the alt key does modify the text selection function. Without the alt key, clicking anywhere on a page just selects the entire page. With the alt key, clicking anywhere on a page selects the entire column from the left edge of the column to the position of the cursor. I would like to annotate just the portion of text within the column that I'm interested in. But even if I was satisfied with highlighting (or underlining, or applying any other marking) to the entire column, selecting the column and then clicking on one of the annotation buttons doesn't actually apply that annotation to the selected text. Selecting a portion of a column using the alt key and the text selection tool and then clicking the highlight button just highlights the entire page. (Actually, it creates a strange polygon highlight.) Selecting and then clicking the underline tool inserts a solid shape at the top of the page. Selecting and then clicking the strike-through tool does nothing. I get similar results when I skip the separate selection step and just try selecting text with alt key and any of the annotation tools.

Is there any way I can attach a screen shot to better convey the results I'm getting?

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

Hi kllpmath,

that is different behaviour from what I am seeing. Can you check the preferences to see if you have 'Exclusive Mode' enabled for commenting tools or non-commenting tools enabled. If you do it can change this behaviour. See this screen shot:


Does this do what you want?

To add an image toi the forum post you need to either put an image somewhere on the web and refer to it by URL using the PHPBB code for image or attach it in a zip archive. Attachments at are not zipped get automatically stripped from a post.

hth

[kllpmath]

Thank you for your help. Unfortunately, changing 'Exclusive Mode' selections did nothing (they were unchecked, and checking them didn't change the results I'm getting). I also tried resetting all settings to defaults, but nothing changed.

In case it helps, I've attached (I hope) a screenshot of what results when I select a portion of a column and click the highlight tool.

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

wow - that is very different from what I get...



Can you confirm that you are using the current build of the Viewer? We are at build 199: http://www.docu-track.com/knowledgebase ... nt-version

Also if this persists after the update to build 199 can I ask you to save the document locally and attach it to this thread for me to look at?

regards

[kllpmath]

The results you're getting are just what I'm looking for! I just downloaded the latest build last night (Version 2.5, Build 199.0). I've attached a file with some of the results I'm getting. Thanks again for your help!

(Woops, I guess I can't attach the document because "the board attachment quota has been reached." I assume this is only a temporary condition?)

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

Hi kllpmath,

the quote is something I've not seen before. I would expect such a thing to be temporary. If you have issues tomorrow let us know. In the mean while you can send your stuff as attachments to support@pdf-xchange.com and past this thread URL into the body of the email as a cross reference please.

thanks

[kllpmath]

Turns out there was apparently something wrong with the pdf file I was working with (maybe because I had previously modified and saved it with Foxit Reader). When I opened a clean file from the web, I was able to get the results I was looking for. The key was selecting the text while depressing the 'alt' key.

Thanks for the great support!

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

Thanks for the update Kevin.