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Text disappearing in text box in Adobe InDesign on Mac [Fixed]

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the issue of text disappearing in the text box in Adobe InDesign on Mac. This page layout designing software from the tech behemoth is usually the go-to choice when it comes to designing posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, among others. It is perhaps the most important tool for graphic designers and production artists.

Text disappearing in text box in Adobe InDesign Mac

Add to it, the support for the EPUB and SWF formats, and there’s not much left to ask. However, in spite of all the goodies attached, it isn’t free from its fair share of issues. A slew of complaints are lined up across the Adobe Forum regarding the issue with the software’s text box field. Whenever users are interacting with the text box, be it for typing, editing, or copy/pasting, the text suddenly disappears.

Text disappearing in text box in Adobe InDesign Mac

This problem is only affecting macOS and the Macbook Air M1 in particular. Moreover, this issue was partially fixed in 14.0.3 but has since resurfaced again in v16.3. If you are also getting bugged with this issue, then this guide will show you various methods to fix the text disappearing issue in the text box in Adobe InDesign on Mac. Follow along.

How to Fix Text disappearing in Text Box in Adobe InDesign on Mac

Text disappearing in text box in Adobe InDesign Mac

Do note that there’s no universal fix as such, You will have to try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one works out in your favor. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Basic Workarounds

These are the basic workarounds that would only take a second or two to execute, but on the flip side, would only provide temporary respite to you. So on that note, let’s check them out.

  • First off, you could scroll down the page and then perform a scroll up and the text would re-appear.
  • Likewise, you could also zoom in and then zoom out and this should rectify this issue as well.

FIX 2: Change Scale Resolution

Some users were also able to resolve this issue by changing the scale resolution of their display monitor. Here’s how it could be done:

  1. Head over to the Resolution section of InDesign and select Scaled from the list.
    Text disappearing in text box in Adobe InDesign Mac
  2. After that. select 1280×800 and this would enlarge all the elements on your screen, including the text.
  3. Now check if it fixes the text disappearing issue in the text box in Adobe InDesign on Mac.

FIX 3: Validate Fonts

In some instances, a missing or corrupt font could also lead to a few issues. The best way to verify and hence rectify this issue is right from the InDesign software itself. Here’s how:

  1. To begin with, open the FontBook and select All Fonts.
  2. Then right-click and select Validate fonts.
    Text disappearing in text box in Adobe InDesign Mac
  3. It will now show all the fonts that are currently having an issue or two.
  4. So select them and hit Delete. Finally, restart Indesign and verify the results.

So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the issue of text disappearing in the text box in Adobe InDesign on Mac. In my case, I had no option but to settle for the basic workarounds as changing the scale resolution on a high-end display monitor did more harm than good to the overall app’s user experience. And validating fonts did no good either.

So what about the official stance on this issue? Well, Adobe has acknowledged this issue around 4-5 months back and since then we are all waiting for a fix, which might “soon” arrive. As and when that happens, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, you may drop in queries concerning the aforementioned steps in the comments section.


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