The most stunning creations come to life with Adobe InDesign, a tool that places the best creative apps and design tools for desktop and digital publications right at your fingertips. Whether you’re an experienced content designer or just starting out, Adobe InDesign offers something for everyone. And there’s always room for improvement. As experts in Adobe InDesign, Catena Company is here to share practical tips to help you get the most out of this powerful tool.
1. Automatic text box
If you’re working on a book or a document with a lot of text, the automatic text box feature can be a game-changer. When creating a new document, check the option to include a text box on your page. This text box will automatically generate new pages as the content overflows from the first page.
And there’s more! If you end up with redundant pages, they can be removed automatically. Simply go to Preferences under Text and enable the option to automatically delete empty pages.
2. Booklet function
If you need to arrange your pages in a folding scheme, the Booklet function is your go-to tool. Pages 1 and 16, 2 and 15, 3 and 14… all placed correctly for folding and binding. While imposition is typically a task for the printer, it can occasionally be useful for designers to preview or test the layout.
3. Text frame size
In the text box options, you can use the properties of a text box to automatically adjust its size according to the amount of text. Easy like this!
4. Split screen
Try using split screen. It brings the frame and document page into view at the same time. At the bottom right of InDesign’s screen is a small button, which gives you an additional view of the same document. Very enlightening.
5. PDF comments
Import comments from a PDF. This is perhaps even more convenient than the collaboration options via the Cloud, as comments posted can be implemented immediately. This import works through Acrobat and Notes.
6. Liquid layout
Use Liquid Layout to seamlessly switch between A4 and A3 formats, saving time compared to manually adjusting the layout. Keep in mind that after resizing, you may need to adjust the scaling of font sizes and line thicknesses, if you plan to continue working on the document. Select the Page Tool and choose Scale (found in the control panel at the top, not in the properties window). Change the page size from A4 to A3 or vice versa. To adjust font sizes and line thicknesses, go to the control panel’s top-right hamburger menu and select Set Scale to 100%.
7. Positioning PDF pages with script
If you need to position all the pages of an existing PDF, use a script. Each page is automatically positioned in the top-left corner of your InDesign page. Think about whether you want to use the trim box, bleed box, crop box or media box in advance.
8. Sort paragraphs
The sort paragraphs script sorts entire blocks of text. It uses the first letters of paragraphs to sort the text in alphabetical order. Very useful for lists, tables, etc.
9. Split frame script for frames
Create equal-sized frames by using a split frame script. In this way, you divide your page very evenly, starting from one big illustration box.
10. Conditional text
Text you want to publish only under specific circumstances can be made conditional. This could be interesting in terms of whether or not to include prices, for example. Instead of 2 documents, create only 1. By marking prices as conditional text, you can make them disappear on simple command.
11. Object styles
Use object styles for repeatedly occurring elements in your document. This allows you to make quick and easy adjustments to colour, position, size, etc. afterwards. Just a matter of updating the style.
12. Data aggregation
Speed up the formatting of your Adobe InDesign document based on a txt or csv document. Automatic data aggregation avoids cut-and-paste and puts all data neatly in place. This feature is actually the little brother of EasyCatalog.
13. Take an Adobe Indesign training course at Catena Company
It doesn’t stop here. Adobe InDesign truly opens up a world of possibilities and continues to innovate. The above tips are about features that will make your design work easier, but of course you need to know they exist. You will learn all the ins & outs during an Adobe Indesign training course, also tailor-made if you wish.
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