InDesign Measure Tool

[Mike Witherell]

Hi gang,

I have been meaning to ask this question (for the last 22 years). It's a small thing, but...

When I use the Measure tool in InDesign, I might drag an angle or distance or protractor (Opt/Alt).

If I drag again, the Measure tool replaces the previous drag.

If I switch to any other tool except the Eyedropper tool, when I come back to the Measure tool it still shows the last use of it on the screen. The only shortcut I can find that works is pressing "I"; then "K" to reset the tool and destroy the last use of it off the screen.

My question: Why doesn't the ESC key cause the visible Measure line to disappear? Or is there a function/shortcut I am unaware?

(Like I said, it's a little thing!)

[Creamer Training]

Hi Mike--I think it's intentional so one can refer back to the line again if needed. 

[John Mensinger]

Yeah, I get why it could annoy you a bit, but Mr. Creamer makes a good point too.

Of course none of us can really know why. If there's something undesirable that would happen from having Esc dismiss the measure-line, I can't think of what it might be, and I agree there should be a way to expressly dismiss it if the user wants. Could be a feature request, I suppose.

As sometimes happens whan someone posts about the specifics of a feature, I realize I just about never use it.

[Mike Witherell]

Thanks gentlemen for your input. Making sure I wasn't missing something. Probably I just need to get out a little more often and do something other than study InDesign!