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J
joelf28697563
Participant
February 13, 2020
Answered

Changing default tracking, kerning, spacing increments

  • February 13, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 3318 views

Is it possible to change the default increments used in toolbars for things like kerning, tracking, space before paragraphs, etc.? I know it's possible with keyboard shortcuts, but I personally find it easier to use the toolbars and not have to constantly take my hand off the mouse. 

For example, the default increment for tracking is 10 (in thousands of an em). I'd like to change that to increments of one. The default increment for space before/after paragraphs is 0.0625 in, and I'd prefer to have it be 0.01 in.

Does anyone know how to do this? I've looked all over in preferences and don't see an option to change these. If it isn't possible, I'd love to see it added as an option. 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer John Mensinger

 

"I know it's possible with keyboard shortcuts, but I personally find it easier to use the toolbars and not have to constantly take my hand off the mouse.

All I see under Preferences > Units & Increments is "Keyboard Increments" for "Size/Leading" and "Kerning/Tracking." Changing these does not seem to change the increments used when clicking on the up and down arrows in the toolbars"

 

I'm not sure why the others are missing the conditions of your question, Joel, But there's no way to change the increments imposed by the UI on those Control fields.

 

You can lodge a feature request here: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

 

 

 

2 replies

Scott Citron
Scott Citron
Legend
February 13, 2020

With no document open, go to Preferences > Units and Increments. To see the results for tracking you need to highlight a range of text and then click the icon in the Character panel. Alt/Option-Arrow Right or Left will also do the same thing. To change leading values, set your Preferences to Type > Apply leading to entire paragraphs. Back in your document insert your text cursor anywhere in your paragraph and use Alt/Option-Up or Down Arrow. 

J
joelf28697563Author
Participant
February 13, 2020

This is what a previous reply suggested. As far as I can tell, that only changes the increments for keyboard shortcuts. Where would I set these preferences for the increments other than keyboard shortcuts? Is it even possible. All I see under Preferences > Units & Increments is "Keyboard Increments" for "Size/Leading" and "Kerning/Tracking." There is nothing for non-keyboard increments and nothing for default space between paragraph increments. Am I missing something? 

Scott Citron
Scott Citron
Legend
February 13, 2020

You mean you want these increments to change when you click by mouse on these attributes in the Character panel, for example? No. No way I know to change these built in increments. If you force yourself to use the keyboard shortcuts I think you'll eventually realize how much faster it is than having to mouse around your screen.

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 13, 2020

Set the desired amounts with no documents open and restart InDesign

J
joelf28697563Author
Participant
February 13, 2020

Thank you for your speedy reply. Where do you set these preferences for the increments other than keyboard shortcuts? All I see under Preferences > Units & Increments is "Keyboard Increments" for "Size/Leading" and "Kerning/Tracking." Changing these does not seem to change the increments used when clicking on the up and down arrows in the toolbars. 

John Mensinger
Community Expert
John MensingerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 13, 2020

 

"I know it's possible with keyboard shortcuts, but I personally find it easier to use the toolbars and not have to constantly take my hand off the mouse.

All I see under Preferences > Units & Increments is "Keyboard Increments" for "Size/Leading" and "Kerning/Tracking." Changing these does not seem to change the increments used when clicking on the up and down arrows in the toolbars"

 

I'm not sure why the others are missing the conditions of your question, Joel, But there's no way to change the increments imposed by the UI on those Control fields.

 

You can lodge a feature request here: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

 

 

 

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