How Do I Change Inches to Points for the Control Panel?

[deborrah120]

Hi. I can't find a way to change inches to points in the ID CC Control Panel. Specifically I want to use points for Space Above and Space Below, Left Indent and Right Indent. As it is right now, I have to type in the number followed by pts each time. That really slows me down. And I don't want to work in inches because I'm using points for type and leading! not inches! I already checked Units & Increments in Preferences. Please advise and many thanks!

[Michael R. Davis]

Change units. On vertical ruler.

[deborrah120]

thanks, michael, for your help. 

deborah

[Jongware · Accepted solution]

It sounds like you want to set only part of the global measurements to points but leave others untouched. InDesign does not do that. It's all or nothing. (*)

Look up the shortcut key for your system to toggle the units (or define your own); that'll probably be faster to do than continuously clicking and selecting the correct one in a menu. (I have something like  Ctrl+Alt+Shift+U but I cannot recall if it's a system default or if I chose it a decade ago. Nevertheless, you can set your own hotkey anyway.)

(*) I think line weights and font sizes are hardcoded exceptions, to cater for those people who just cannot use "points" as an abstract unit meaning "thus-and-so large. I sympathize with them because a font size of 5mm tells me nothing, in return.

[jane-e]

Hi Deborrah,

You can set it in Preferences with no documents open for all future documents or right click both the horizontal and vertical rulers to make the change.

If you right-click the intersection of the rulers, you can make the change once; otherwise set each ruler.

Instead of points, though, try picas.

~ Jane

[deborrah120]

Thanks, Jane, for your help. I like the right-click on the ruler intersection idea. I'm so oriented to points, but I'll try picas and see how if it speeds me up or slows me down.

deborah

[deborrah120]

thanks, jongware, for your insight.. i wish i could set two measurements but the toggle idea helps. I'll do that. Agree that designating a font size of 5mm is not helpful. 

deborah