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Participant
Feb 6, 2022 6:35 AM UTC
Answered

can't adjust spacing between words

I have a text box where the space between words is too small.  I don't know how to change it. 

Interestingly, I have another text box where it looks fine, but I can't find what setting controls this. 

 

I saved these 2 boxes with separate paragraph styles, but toggling the first box to have the other box's style doesn't change anything. 

rob day
rob dayCorrect answer
Community Expert
Feb 6, 2022 12:10 PM UTC

You can also adjust word spacing with a key command. With the text selected—Ctrl+Alt+Backspace (Windows) or Command+Option+Delete (Mac) decreases the word spacing, and Ctrl+Alt+\ (Windows) or Command+Option+\ (Mac) to increase. The key commands adjust the kerning values of the word spaces and don’t affect the Justification settings.

37 replies

rafaellondon
Participating Frequently
Oct 26, 2025 7:10 AM UTC

Hello from 2025.
With the MacBook Pro keyboard doesn't seems to work the keyboard Opt Cmd Del to decrease word space.
I recomend create new keyboard shortcut asigning Decrease Word Space to: Option Comand ' 
This way both increasing wordspace and decreasing and next to each other in the keyboard.  decreas: ' inclrease: \

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rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
Feb 6, 2022 12:10 PM UTC

You can also adjust word spacing with a key command. With the text selected—Ctrl+Alt+Backspace (Windows) or Command+Option+Delete (Mac) decreases the word spacing, and Ctrl+Alt+\ (Windows) or Command+Option+\ (Mac) to increase. The key commands adjust the kerning values of the word spaces and don’t affect the Justification settings.

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Participant
Feb 6, 2022 6:58 PM UTC

That's very helpful to know! Is there a way to view this setting if I want to restore it to the default? 

 

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Peter Spier
Community Expert
Community Expert
Feb 6, 2022 7:43 PM UTC

You can turn on highlighting for custom kerning in the composition section of the prefs. To restore to the defaults just select the text and choose metrics in the kerning field of the Character or Control panel.

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Community Expert
Feb 6, 2022 7:11 AM UTC

Check the justification setting. See the screenshot

-Manan

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-Manan
Participant
Feb 6, 2022 7:44 AM UTC

AS far as I can tell, the justification settings are identical. 

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Participant
Feb 6, 2022 8:27 AM UTC

Never mind - seems like there was some more text in the box (it was hidden) that seems to be what threw things off. 
Thanks!

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