Trouble filling in oval shape with type

Question

I'm trying to make a somewhat interesting layout for a design course and I'm having trouble.

I'm trying to do this:

But I want mine to be the number 8 filled with type. So a simple explanation would be I want to fill the shape of a Helvetica Neue "8" with multiple lines of type. I've tried using compound path, but it doesn't seem to be working with the oval holes in the shape of the letter(number).

This is the result I get after trying Object>Expand>Object>Compound path> Release:

I'm a bit stuck and I'm wondering what could be done here. I've tried multiple workarounds, but it turns out my illustrator expertise is insufficient.

Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

Since Area Type tool doesn't work on Compound paths, you can use Text Wrap feature in Illustrator.

1. Simply release the compound path.
2. Group those two circles in a new layer and hide them temporarily. You'll have this:

3. Use Area Type tool to type/paste your text for the solid 8 shape

4. Then unhide those two circles group and select it and go to Object > Text Wrap > Make. You should get the result you need.

If you go to Object > Text Wrap > Text Wrap Options, you can decrease the offset so you get a shape similar to the original shape of 8 before typing text inside it.

Note that you'll still have those white colored circles. You may need a workaround (like changing color) depending on your background.