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JennyArcbUX
JennyArcbUX
Participant
May 6, 2026
Question

How to highlight a piece of text within a paragraph with rounded corners.

  • May 6, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 103 views

I can’t figure out if it’s possible to recreate this text style. Specifically the rounded corners. I tried the Underline hack. It will highlight the text but only with a square shape. I can also create a pill shape. I would like to use a square with rounded corners.

Any ideas?

 

 

    3 replies

    Mike Witherell
    Community Expert
    Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 7, 2026

    Relative to the abilities built into InDesign, this effect can be done as a Paragraph Style; but your example needs it to be done as a Character Style, and I know of no way to do this unless you are patient enough to make small text frames pasted inline with larger text frames.

    On further reflection, I can manage to make a Character Style that applies a underline and a Strikethrough offset in such a way to use a dotted line plus same color gap that makes the appearance of a rounded rectangle--but only on the top or the bottom; not both. The strikethrough has to be overprinted, however, since it sits in front of text.

    Mike Witherell
    FRIdNGE
    FRIdNGE
    May 7, 2026

    The right question for me would be: do you want to do it one by one or basing e.g. on a Grep Find/Replace? 
     

    (^/)  The Jedi

    JennyArcbUX
    JennyArcbUXAuthor
    Participant
    May 7, 2026

    It would be more like a style that is used on different words. I don’t think Grep find/replace would work. I’m look for a way to style the highlight in the way the image I share is. I just can’t figure out how to do with with out a VERY manual flow. 

    I can use the underline hack but that makes the shape a pill shape. 

    FRIdNGE
    FRIdNGE
    May 7, 2026

    I'm mowing the lawn in my garden! I'll be back later! ;-)
     

    (^/)

      E
      Community Expert
      Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 6, 2026

      See if this thread helps you out

       

       

        JennyArcbUX
        JennyArcbUXAuthor
        Participant
        May 7, 2026

        Thank you. I found that one and it would work… kinda… but it’s a pill with full rounded sides. I’m looking for how to use a square with rounded corners. 

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