The character panel is set to a standard Western digit layout.
Change the language to one of the following depending on your interface preference:
If you don’t see the ME version, your Adobe ID region may be set elsewhere. Contact Adobe Support to change your account region to a MENA country (requires valid local payment method or proof of purchase).
For older versions (CS6, CC 2014–2019) where the ME edition is a separate installer:
If Illustrator is not yet installed on your machine, click the button. Creative Cloud will automatically download and install the version equipped with Middle Eastern support. adobe illustrator middle east version install
Would you like a separate guide for enabling Arabic/Hebrew keyboard input on Windows/macOS alongside Illustrator?
Legacy ME installers often mapped keyboard shortcuts differently. The slash (/) for Pen Tool might become a question mark. Most modern CC installs avoid this, but if you install a standalone ME CS6, you will need to re-map your keyboard layout to "US - International."
If you accidentally installed the interface in a language you do not understand:
3 GB of available hard-disk space for installation (SSD recommended). The character panel is set to a standard
If you have a subscription purchased in the Middle East:
To get the most out of Adobe Illustrator in the Middle East, consider the following tips:
If you have the ME version installed but text is still breaking:
In the Paragraph panel, you will now see two new directional buttons: For older versions (CS6, CC 2014–2019) where the
Go to > Preferences > Type (Windows) or Illustrator > Preferences > Type (macOS).
For enterprise users who struggle with installation, there is a workflow hack:
If you use the standard Western version of Illustrator to type Arabic or Hebrew, you will likely encounter letters that are disconnected (not joined), reversed (left-to-right), and missing proper typography features. The provides: