Issue Report: Kerning Not Applied with Ligatures Enabled in InDesign 2024/2025 (Regression from 2023

[Manzar]

Description:
A kerning issue occurs in Adobe InDesign 2024 and 2025 when using ligature-supported fonts like Microsoft Uighur Font. Manual kerning adjustments fail to apply when ligatures are enabled. This problem does *not* occur in InDesign 2023, where disabling ligatures allows kerning to function as expected.

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Steps to Reproduce:
1. Font Setup: Use Microsoft Uighur Font in InDesign 2024/2025. (I use my personal font)
2. Text Input: Type a word containing the ligature اللہ (e.g., any two Arabic text).
3. Enable Ligatures: Ensure ligatures are turned on (Character panel > Ligatures: ON).
4. Apply Manual Kerning: Attempt to adjust kerning between characters (e.g., using Alt + Arrow Keys).
- Observed Result: Kerning adjustments do not take effect.
5. Disable Ligatures: Turn ligatures off (Character panel > Ligatures: OFF).
- Observed Result: Kerning now works as expected.

Expected Behavior:
Manual kerning should apply regardless of ligature settings, as seen in InDesign 2023.

Affected Versions:
- Broken: InDesign 2024 & 2025
- Working: InDesign 2023

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Request for Assistance:
Has anyone encountered this regression? Are there known fixes or workarounds for newer InDesign versions? Testing with Microsoft Uighur Font and the ligature اللہ should replicate the issue. Any guidance or insights would be appreciated!

(Note: Ensure OpenType features are not overriding settings, and test in a new document with default preferences.)

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

You should also post it here: 

https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Manzar,

Thanks for bringing ths up! I appreciate the insights shared by Robert. I’m checking this with the product team, but in the meantime, could you confirm if you face this on the latest 2025 version (20.2)? Also, please share the details of your OS. If possible, providing a sample file where you’re experiencing the issue would help us test and investigate. Additionally, a short screen recording of your workflow would be really helpful in understanding the problem better.

You can refer to this guide on how to package files for sharing: https://adobe.ly/4bNc1Cn

Looking forward to your update!

^

Abhishek

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Manzar,

Just following up—could you provide the details requested earlier? The product team needs this information to investigate the issue. Please confirm if this happens in the latest 2025 version (20.2) and share your OS details. If possible, a sample file where the issue occurs and a short screen recording demonstrating the problem would be really helpful. Packaging guide: https://adobe.ly/4bNc1Cn. Looking forward to your update!

^

Abhishek