How to Add Shaded Text with Gaps Between Lines in InDesign Without Using Hard Returns

[Sonia23085377lypo]

Hello,

I've run across the same issue this Reddit user is having and it's unsolved.

Is there any solution to this? That is, having multiple lines within the same paragraph have a gap between the shaded background without doing hard returns. 

Any help will be appreciated! Thanks.

<Title renamed by MOD>

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Do you have white a solid background?

I'm on my phone so can't check right now - but maybe you could play with ParaStyle and CharStyle underlines / Paragraph Rules? 

One for the text and another for the gap?

[Sonia23085377lypo]

Thanks for your suggestions! Para Rules only apply to one line, and I have 3+ lines sometimes. Then, if I underline, it only applies under the width of the text and I need it to the column. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

So not like the redit user? 

Can you post a screenshot? 

And what about the background? Is it solid or image? 

[Sonia23085377lypo]

I'm not sure what you mean. The user and I seem to both want the same thing and are having the same issue.

I've been using Paragraph Rules but doing hard returns in order to create the clear*** gap between text lines. (I realize I've been saying white, but the correct word would be clear). I want to avoid hard returns on running sentences for accessibility issues and TOC issues. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

After all - I don't think it's doable with just Char & ParaStyles... 

A few workarounds: 

- bunch of grouped lines in the back, 

- table in the back, 

- maybe ObjectStyle with some kind of a hard gradient??? But then your text would've to be in a separate TextFrame. 

- Script that will add / update 1st and 2nd option when necessary. 

[Sonia23085377lypo]

Thank you for the workarounds! Hopefully one works out.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Use underline, with a wide, tinted line, offset to center vertically on the text —

Strikethrough could be used, as well. I think each has slightly different limitations.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@James Gifford—NitroPress

But it needs to be from edge to edge of the TextFrame - not just the text.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Ah. Then there is no automated method that fulfills all the requirements. A Rule, or Shading, is the only option, which requires paragraph breaks.

Can be faked with hard spaces (a few em spaces at beginning and end of each line) but that gets wobbly and fragile.

I am assuming this is for fairly short title blocks and the like... so the broken text can be managed with other workarounds.