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A
A2KateB
Participant
March 5, 2018
Question

Cannot select or modify Tabs Indesign CC2018 (Mac)

  • March 5, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 1811 views

Hi,

I can't modify tab stops using either the "Tabs" menu or "Tabs" or "Indent" in paragraph styles panel.

I am able to set 1st line by typing in numerical data, but I'm not able to set a hanging indent. If I try

to click on the tabs line to edit manually, it automatically places a left or right-justify arrow. Argh! I am on

tight deadline and this is making it impossible to work. I've already cleared Cache and old preferences files...no change.

Thank you,

K

    2 replies

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 5, 2018

    Just to clarify the steps...

    You can create a hanging indent via Styles > Indents and Spacing with a positive Left Indent and a negative First Line Indent:

    Alternatively, Shift + drag the bottom (left indent) triangle in the Tabs Panel (holding Shift allows the left indent triangle to move independently from the top (1st line indent) triangle:

    If you are getting arrows when you try to move the triangles, you are missing the triangles and adding tab stops instead of adjusting the indents. The interface is tiny, and it is very, very easy for your cursor to miss the indent triangles. Both Macs & Windows have accessibility options that allow you to zoom in to better see where you are clicking on. I'm well into my 50s, and I zoom in on things all the time.

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
      Bill Silbert
      Community Expert
      Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 5, 2018

      What method did you use to clear your cache files and preferences?

      A
      A2KateBAuthor
      Participant
      March 5, 2018

      Go menu > Library > Preferences > Adobe InDesign (also plist files)

      Go menu > Library > Cache > InDesign

        Bill Silbert
        Community Expert
        Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        March 5, 2018

        Can you post a screen shot of your tabs panel with text selected and all of the "invisibles" showing? Any screen shot you can post that shows the problem will be helpful.

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