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deborrah120
deborrah120
Known Participant
June 22, 2019
Answered

How Do I Change Inches to Points for the Control Panel?

  • June 22, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 1028 views

Hi. I can't find a way to change inches to points in the ID CC Control Panel. Specifically I want to use points for Space Above and Space Below, Left Indent and Right Indent. As it is right now, I have to type in the number followed by pts each time. That really slows me down. And I don't want to work in inches because I'm using points for type and leading! not inches! I already checked Units & Increments in Preferences. Please advise and many thanks!

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Correct answer Jongware

It sounds like you want to set only part of the global measurements to points but leave others untouched. InDesign does not do that. It's all or nothing. (*)

Look up the shortcut key for your system to toggle the units (or define your own); that'll probably be faster to do than continuously clicking and selecting the correct one in a menu. (I have something like  Ctrl+Alt+Shift+U but I cannot recall if it's a system default or if I chose it a decade ago. Nevertheless, you can set your own hotkey anyway.)

(*) I think line weights and font sizes are hardcoded exceptions, to cater for those people who just cannot use "points" as an abstract unit meaning "thus-and-so large. I sympathize with them because a font size of 5mm tells me nothing, in return.

4 replies

deborrah120
deborrah120Author
Known Participant
November 18, 2019

thanks, jongware, for your insight.. i wish i could set two measurements but the toggle idea helps. I'll do that. Agree that designating a font size of 5mm is not helpful. 

deborah

jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 23, 2019

Hi Deborrah,

You can set it in Preferences with no documents open for all future documents or right click both the horizontal and vertical rulers to make the change.

If you right-click the intersection of the rulers, you can make the change once; otherwise set each ruler.

Instead of points, though, try picas.

~ Jane

    deborrah120
    deborrah120Author
    Known Participant
    November 18, 2019

    Thanks, Jane, for your help. I like the right-click on the ruler intersection idea. I'm so oriented to points, but I'll try picas and see how if it speeds me up or slows me down.

    deborah

    Jongware
    Community Expert
    JongwareCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    June 22, 2019

    It sounds like you want to set only part of the global measurements to points but leave others untouched. InDesign does not do that. It's all or nothing. (*)

    Look up the shortcut key for your system to toggle the units (or define your own); that'll probably be faster to do than continuously clicking and selecting the correct one in a menu. (I have something like  Ctrl+Alt+Shift+U but I cannot recall if it's a system default or if I chose it a decade ago. Nevertheless, you can set your own hotkey anyway.)

    (*) I think line weights and font sizes are hardcoded exceptions, to cater for those people who just cannot use "points" as an abstract unit meaning "thus-and-so large. I sympathize with them because a font size of 5mm tells me nothing, in return.

      M
      Michael R. Davis
      Known Participant
      June 22, 2019

      Change units. On vertical ruler.

        deborrah120
        deborrah120Author
        Known Participant
        November 18, 2019

        thanks, michael, for your help. 

        deborah

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