Help understanding first baseline offset

[brjoco]

Hello community,

I’ve been stumped on what exactly the use for the "first baseline offset" option could be used for under text frame options?

I understand that it shifts around the first baseline in that frame but i struggle with, what is the point of doing that if you could just align all the lines to a grid using a common leading?

Cheers

[jane-e · Accepted solution]

Hi

InDesign Secrets explains the settings well here: https://indesignsecrets.com/understanding-the-first-baseline-position-of-text.php

Jane

[brjoco]

This helps..

But what is the practical use of something like that ?

[hammer0909]

There are a number of reasons for this but a common one is when you're using headings with shading or paragraph rules applied. The shading/rule can protrude outside of the top of the frame. Be define the first baseline, you can control where this element falls.

[brjoco]

Thank you for the response!

just wanted to post an example in case others see this.

I assume this is a perfect example / use of this feature when using shading ?

[jane-e]

Yes, great example! And others do read these posts later.

[jane-e]

Hi

If you don’t have an immediate need to change this setting, it’s okay to keep it where it is. If the first line doesn’t work for you in situations such as Chad described, then know that the setting is there when you need it.

It’s a great question, and probably lots of people have wondered the same thing.

~ Jane