Indesign calculate/generate Grid Layout

[apa68177991]

Hello, I work on print products and I would like to use layout grids more often, but creating them in the formats that suit me is always quite difficult and time-consuming. I need an alternative. Something like a calculator or an Excel spreadsheet that does it for me.

[Steve Werner]

Your request is extremely vague. Show us examples of the kind of layout grids you need. 

Also, please tell us what operating system (exactly) you're running. Please tell us (exactly) what InDesign version you're using.

[apa68177991]

I usually use this type of grid, but as I said, it is not always easy to create them for some projects. I don’t know how that helps, but I use Indesign 2024 19.2. on Windows 11. Thank you for your effort.

[Steve Werner]

I teach my students to use Layout > Create Guides. It visually lets you controls the horizontal and vertical guides to create a layout grid:

[Barb Binder]

Hi @apa68177991:

There are two ways to add guides to InDesign page:

• drag them out individually from the ruler and painstakingly line them up or
• create a grid using Layout > Create Guides to quickly define rows and/or columns, with without a gutter and dividing them automatically between the margins or the page.

If you are doing the first one, the second one will be significantly faster and easier.

~Barb

[apa68177991]

Thank you for your answer. I am aware of this function and I use it also for creating grids, but I have difficulties regarding the leading to calculate the appropriate dimensions and measurements of the grid.

[Steve Werner]

I've never heard of a product to calculate grid dimensions but measurements, but it would need to be some kind of script or plug-in, I'm pretty sure. Maybe someone else has heard of such a product.

[apa68177991]

Do you have a special approach or anything like that to achieve your goal? Do you make any cuts or compromises anywhere?

[Steve Werner]

The best single resource on working with grids I know of is a LinkedIn Learning video by designer and author Nigel French, "Designing with Grids in InDesign." This is what I recommend to my students. You can get a free month I believe of LinkedIn Learning, last I looked.

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/designing-with-grids-in-indesign-2/why-grids-matter

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Thank you for your answer. I am aware of this function and I use it also for creating grids, but I have difficulties regarding the leading to calculate the appropriate dimensions and measurements of the grid.

By @apa68177991

Just describe precisely what you need.

[apa68177991]

Ok sure

[rayek.elfin]

I believe you are looking for something like this plugin:

https://www.designersbookshop.com/grid-calculator-pro-edition.html