Flowing Type from Path to Path in Illustrator

Any text that’s within a shape (area type or rectangle type) can be linked to other paths so that the text flows from one path to another. For instance, a story about a pesky fruit fly can start in a path in the shape of a banana and then continue automatically into normal rectangular columns of text. Whenever changes occur in the text within the banana shape, the text in the rectangle moves accordingly.

This process works by selecting the path that currently has text in it along with another path (or paths). You then choose Type➪Blocks➪Link. The text flows from shape to shape in the chronological order that they were created.

If you don’t see any change when you choose Link, your first text box probably doesn’t have enough text in it to overflow into the linked box. Just type more in the first text box, and flowing will prevail. To undo the link, choose Type➪Block➪Unlink.

Adjusting the Path (Not the Type)
After you create path type, area type, wrapped type, or linked blocks of type, you may discover situations in which you want to change only the path and not the type. By default, if you select the path and the type together, you change only the type. So how can you change the path?

The secret to changing the path is to use the Direct Selection tool to select the path and then make your changes to the fill and stroke.