CC23 Normal use - Tab key not working

[NCPcoatings]

Why doesn't my Tab key work normally in 2023 InDesign?

I can insert Special Charater > Tab, but I have a form I'm building, so there will be plenty of tabs used and to set.

The Tab key works as expected in MS Word &c.

Thanks!

[Barb Binder]

Hi @NCPcoatings:

The Tab key has various functions in InDesign: if you have an insertion point in text, it will add a tab character. To be sure you can see it, work with Type > Show Hidden Characters enabled. A tab character looks like this: >>. 

If you don't have a blinking insertion point, it will hide/show the panels, even if you have the Type tool selected. 

~Barb

[NCPcoatings]

If I understand correctly: in order to use the Tab key as it was initially invented on a typewriter and all of the digital iterations in word processing, text setting &c (to include previous version of InDesign), I *now* have to add an extra UI step or two to regain usual and ordinary Tab-key function when "typing"?

[Mike Witherell]

Your description doesn't supply us with enough info to assess your question. Are you actively in a Type tool inserted in text? If so, then pressing the tab key should insert a tab character. If not, can you describe your situation better?

Sometimes, a reset is necessary. 

Some interesting history on typewriter machines.

[NCPcoatings]

“Are you actively in a Type tool inserted in text?” Yes. So it should, but it is not.

Working as usual/normal in CC21, but, oddly, not CC22 (or CC23 as noted above).

Meanwhile: thanks for the prompt responses.

[Barb Binder]

Hi @NCPcoatings:

This works exactly like it did on a typewriter, or Wordstar or WordPerfect or Word, if you:

• have the Type tool selected, and if
• you see a blinking vertical bar (aka an insertion point)

But if would like a visual confirmation, work with Show Hidden Characters enabled. 

~Barb

[NCPcoatings]

For CC23, I have new document, Text block, Type too and a blinking insertion bar... but no TAB character from TAB key.

[NCPcoatings]

with "Show Hidden Characters" enabled

[Mike Witherell]

Have you experimented with trashing preferences?

Sometimes, a reset is necessary. 

[NCPcoatings]

I'll try that, though I don't know that I've set *any* preferences with CC23 (or CC22).

[Robert at ID-Tasker · Accepted solution]

Trashing prefs means clearing some hidden preferences set in the InDesign - not all are set by you, most of them are set by InDesign itself - and when they get corrupted - you'll experience a strange behaviour. 

If it doesn't help - the problem might be with your current INDD file being corrupted - then you need to do IDMLing - described in one of the already provided links.

[NCPcoatings]

Thanks so much: this worked!

I appreciate all your help (Adobe user since Photoshop 88...)

[Barb Binder]

Hi @NCPcoatings:

You may not think you are saving preferences but each time you make a change to InDesign's default behavior, that preference is saved as you close down InDesign. The files are read as you open up InDesign the next time.* That's a lot of activity for those files and they can become corrupt over time. Deleting them and allowing InDesign to re-create them for you normally removes the erratic behavior. The process is explained here, and in Mike's link: https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

~Barb

*On that note, some people report never closing down InDesign (or their computers) and just doing that can be enough to reset things, sometimes.

[NCPcoatings]

Good to know!