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A
A.Herden
Inspiring
April 27, 2018
Answered

Setting a default Tab

  • April 27, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 4069 views

I have seen many post about setting tabs... however its the default tab I need to adjust.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer amaarora

I did that, but when I hit the tab key on a separate page it goes back to what I don't want it to be. So I have to do this to every new text field?


Hi,

Please change the value of  X field with NOTHING selected. Even the cursor should not be any frame. If you do this, the newly set values will apply to all new tab presses in any frame of that document.

In case you set this value with no document open, the newly set values will apply to all new tab presses in any frame of a any new document.

If the cursor is in any text frame, the newly set values will apply to all new tab presses in that frame.

-Aman

2 replies

hammer0909
Community Expert
hammer0909Community Expert
Community Expert
April 27, 2018

The default tab value in InDesign is every .5 in. There's no way to adjust this per se. As others have pointed out though, with nothing selected, you can specify a tab value that will become the default tab stop when you type the tab key one time. If you need more than one, then you'll have to set multiple tab stops as described above. I should say that my number one rule for working with tabs is never type more than one tab character in a row. ;-)

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 27, 2018

    Adding to what Chad said about the default tab, which you can set for the document or for all new documents, the best practice is to create and use Styles. Create a paragraph styles, set the tab, and appply the style to appropriate text. When you edit the style, everything will update.

    For tabs to work, confirm that you have pressed the tab key once between "columns". No multiple tabs and no spaces. Turn on hidden characters to check.

    amaarora
    amaarora
    Inspiring
    April 27, 2018

    Hi,

    You can do this via Type->Tabs panel. See: Set tabs and indents in Adobe InDesign

    -Aman

    A
    A.HerdenAuthor
    Inspiring
    April 27, 2018

    Yes I seen that.. that is for paragraphs correct?

    I want to change the space when I hit the TAB KEY...

    amaarora
    amaarora
    Inspiring
    April 27, 2018

    Hi,

    Please set the X value in the tabs panel.

    As and when you click the tab in the text frame, the new space will be set.

    If you change the X value, all new tabs will have the space as defined in the X value.

    -Aman

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