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Praetoryan
Inspiring
May 25, 2021
Question

Drop Cap

  • May 25, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 786 views

This is going to sound really dumb, but has anyone else had issues with creating a drop cap?  I'm tryin to learn how to use the software and trying to write a newsletter and having a hard time creating a drop cap.  I've watched several videos on how to do it and have also followed step by step instructions out of a 2017 InDesign CC classroom book and still having issues.  Can anyone help show what I'm doing wrong?  Thank you in advance.

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3 replies

Willi Adelberger
Community Expert
Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 25, 2021
  1. Did you apply a specific character style to your paragraph? If you define the paragraph style and want to see it happen in a specific paragraph, a character style is overwriting its properties. Character styles in InDesign are only ment to be for exceptions.
  2. But you can specify a specific character style for the drop cap letter only, but you should not apply it directly. Apply it only from the paragraph style definition in the drop cap and nested style section.
  3. Be aware to specify a dedicated paragraph style for the drop capital paragraph, as other paragraphs should not be affected by its definition.
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    PraetoryanAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 26, 2021

    The paragraph is imported from an RTF file format.  I created a new style in Paragraph Style and set up all the parameters I wanted.  When I try to use that Drop Cap style I created, it takes the paragraph and changes the font and color of it.  Not sure why at all.  I even went ahead and deleted the style and created a whole new one but as soon as I choose that style and try to apply it as a drop cap, it once again changes it to something I haven't even used in my newsletter. Not sure where or how it picked up that color and font but I can't find it to isolate it.

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 26, 2021

    You did not reply my question.

    What is about Character Styles?

    • Do you use them?
    • How do you use them?
    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 25, 2021

    As mentioned we need more information, "so many issues" doesn't help!

    Which version of InDesign and OS?
    Apart from inserting a drop cap what are the others issues you are having, are there any error messages?

     

    P
    PraetoryanAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 26, 2021

    The OS is macOS Big Sur 11.4 and the InDesign version is 2021 Version 16.2.1.

    E
    Community Expert
    Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 25, 2021

    Can you share your screenshots of what you're doing?

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      PraetoryanAuthor
      Inspiring
      May 25, 2021

      I could but honestly it's doing some crazy stuff.  I tried to set up a Paragraph Style and every time I click on it to edit it, the text font and color would change and remain changed eventhough I made the changes to what I need them to be.  I'm currently in the process of doing the whole project again from scratch.  Could we do a screen share?

       

      E
      Community Expert
      Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 25, 2021

      I can't right now either.  I'm getting ready to go to bed.  Long day tomorrow.  How about maybe later this week or this weekend?

       


      It's not really the norm - if you can share your file or a sample of the file that's usually what happens and someone can take a look and direct you on how to fix it.

       

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