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turner111
Inspiring
July 21, 2020
Answered

Footnotes: can these be set in a book's Style Source?

  • July 21, 2020
  • 7 replies
  • 948 views

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out how to set footnote styles that can be applied in a book's Style Source so that it inherits things like its Rule.

However, though I can save and apply paragraph and type styles, I haven't found a way to adjust footnotes across documents from the Style Source.

Is there a way to do this?
Also... I'm trying to figure out a way to have a bit more control over the appearance and typography, specifically, adjusting the space above the rule... can't quite figure this one out either. Probably just missing it...

Any help appreciated!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Barb Binder

Hi Turner:

 

You can set the space above the rule with Type > Document Footnote Options > Layout > Minimum Space Before 1st Footnote. Notice this is a minimum amount of space—if you need a consistent amount of space, I would define a baseline grid and be sure both body text and the first line of the footnotes are on the grid.

 

Oddly, I don't see any way to sync the footnote settings across a book. 😞

~Barb

7 replies

David W. Goodrich
David W. Goodrich
Participating Frequently
August 4, 2020

There is a 2010 thread "Synchronising Footnote Options" over on InDesign Secrets with a Javascript that Jongware wrote and explains for copying the footnote options from one ID file to another. He updated the link in 2016 and it still works -- as does the script.

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 4, 2020

Edit > Find/Change:

 

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 21, 2020

I'm also finding that footnote indicators don't show up in search! Yikes.

Are you trying to locate the footnotes via the Find/Change dialog box? Use the Text tab and ^F. (Or GREP tab, and ~F)

 

~Barb 

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    T
    turner111Author
    Inspiring
    August 4, 2020

    Thanks Barb-

    Yes, trying to search via Find/Change. Where to I add the ^F ?

     

    cheers

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 21, 2020

    And we did not talk about endnotes yet…

    ( sigh! )

     

    Regards,
    Uwe Laubender

    ( ACP )

    T
    turner111Author
    Inspiring
    July 21, 2020

    Lol.... haven't gotten to those yet, but I will 😉

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 21, 2020

    Hi turner111,

    you also have to care of the footnote start number in every single InDesign document of your book file.

    Another thing that is crying for automation!

     

    Regards,
    Uwe Laubender

    ( ACP )

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      July 21, 2020

      Hi Turner:

       

      You can set the space above the rule with Type > Document Footnote Options > Layout > Minimum Space Before 1st Footnote. Notice this is a minimum amount of space—if you need a consistent amount of space, I would define a baseline grid and be sure both body text and the first line of the footnotes are on the grid.

       

      Oddly, I don't see any way to sync the footnote settings across a book. 😞

      ~Barb

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
        T
        turner111Author
        Inspiring
        July 21, 2020

        Thanks Barb!
        Bummer about syncing. Surprising, actually... looks like I might have to find a workaround.
        I'm also finding that footnote indicators don't show up in search! Yikes.

         

          Mike Witherell
          Community Expert
          Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 21, 2020

          Have you looked at Type > Document Footnote Options > and seen the various footnote controls within the 2 tabs: Numbering and Formatting and Layout? Here is where you adjust the traditional horizontal rule over the footnotes.

          If your main document has a Footnotes paragraph style set up; the Book panel can help that style be propagated across the other documents within the overview of the Book panel.

          Mike Witherell
            T
            turner111Author
            Inspiring
            July 21, 2020

            Thanks Mike - yes, I've done that. I guess I was expecting more typographic control... 

            I have a Footnotes style set up (a few, actually), which update fine, but the Footnote Options don't seem to carry across synced documents.

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