Character Style > Open Type > Tabular Lining option not working

[meh67]

Since Adobe is not supporting Postscript fonts anymore, I had to ditch my literally thousands of dollars of fonts and buy some new ones. In particular I need to use Interstate Condensed on a lot off tables for versioning of past projects. In the past I would use my Monospace Postscript font. I see now that I need to buy the OpenType versions of the font from a supplier that includes the Tabular Lining (monospace) function.

I repurchased the Interstate Condensed OpenType font family, but when I go to Charcter > OpenType > and try to choose Tabular Lining it has brackets around it and doesnt let me choose it. What's weird is that ONE version of the family (Interstate Condensed Light Italic) actually DOES work, but none of the others. 

Am I doing something wrong? I need this function back as tables of numbers do not line up unless they are the monospace version - and my client will reject the work done. As of right now, im dead in the water.

Any insights would be greatingly appreciated. I am using Typeface as my type manager, so I could have something to do with that. I have contacted their support - but Im not holding my breath they will get back to me anytime soon.

I am using Adobe Indesign version 18.5, and a Macbook Pro

[Barb Binder]

Hi @meh67:

You'll have to check with the font company you purchased it from to see if Tabular Lining is included in that version of Interstate Condensed. It sounds like it is not.

Adobe has Interstate in their font library and Condensed Regular doesn't offer Tabular Lining either. https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts/interstate

~Barb

[meh67]

I specifically purchased the version where it is included. It even shows up in my font activation software "TypeFace" where is shows exactly what the Tabular looks like. -  the entire alphabet is shows in its monospace (Tabular) form. I specifically did NOT buy the Adobe versions because it does not include it. So far, I am finding most of Adobe's fonts a bit lacking.

[meh67 · Accepted solution]

OK, I found out the problem.

The font I bought is fine. It is OpenType with Tabular (monospace) type as an option. The problem is that I had Adobe Type Auto Activation on. Found in :

Indesign > Preferences > File Handing > File Handing tab > at the bottom is a check box for "Auto-active Adobe Fonts"

I deselected that.

Basically Indesign was automatically loading the sub-par Adobe version of the font and overriding my type managers full purchased version.

Works great now. Of course now any project that I actually use Adobe Fonts with I will have to turn on the font - but I dont use many Adobe fonts. Adobe fonts has a long way to go to become an actual professional designers resource, IMHO.

(Side gripe) If Adobe is NOT going to support postscript anymore, and offers their own versions of fonts, they should at least provide them with the FULL font options so we can use them. For people who do a lot of tables, charts, financials, a monospace version of the font is not just a luxury - its a neccessity.