Line up periods after footnote numbers

[Wren1080]

Is there a way to line up the periods that come after footnote numbers? I can't figure out how to automatically insert a tab before the numbers so that I can set the first tab as a decimal tab. Here is how I want the footnotes to look:

    9. Footnote text

  10. Footnote text

[Steve Werner]

You can create a Paragraph Style for format the footnote in Type > Document Footnote Options.

In the Paragraph Style, go to Tabs and set a right aligned tab for the number followed by a period, and a second tab aligned left for the footnote text.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I don't think this works, Steve. Footnotes can't begin with a leading tab, unless I've missed something on several rounds of trying to achieve this formatting. ETA: It works only with a manual tab added. I'm not sure that worked in some prior version, though.

It does work for every other numbering setup, AFAIK.

[Barb Binder]

Steve: I just keystroked this (and every other combination of options I could think of) but was unsuccessful. 

~Barb

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

ID does not allow you to lead the footnote configuration string with a tab. It's a hole in the capabilities, IMHO.

I am not sure there's another workaround to get this format, which is both my preference and (I believe) the proper layout.

ETA: If you set up the paragraph style with tabs, as Steve suggests, you can manually add the first tab after the footnote is created. I'd forgotten that. 😛 Still a hack that should not be needed.

[Steve Werner]

James,

I think you're right. I had never done it but I realize that in InDesign the footnote cannot consist of <number> < period> <tab><footnote text>.

The number has to be the same number as the footnote reference in the text.

[James Gifford—NitroPress · Accepted solution]

See ETAs. You can add a tab, but you can't specify it to appear automatically.

[Steve Werner]

Essentially, you cannot automate footnoting in InDesign that contains a tab or a period.

[Barb Binder]

ETA: If you set up the paragraph style with tabs, as Steve suggests, you can manually add the first tab after the footnote is created. I'd forgotten that. 😛 Still a hack that should not be needed.

Ok, can you share a screen shot, James? I can't figure it out.

~Barb

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

You can't add the tab in the setup or automatically. However, once a footnote is added, you can manually add the tab in front of the generated number.

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Got it. Thanks, @James Gifford—NitroPress.

@Wren1080L: You can use a GREP Find/Change to assign the leading tabs all at one time. If the style has the tabs set us per @Steve Werner, the periods will line up at at point. 

~Barb

[Steve Werner]

Very clever, thanks, Barb and James!

[Barb Binder]

The collaboration is one of the parts of the forum I like best. 

~Barb

[Wren1080]

Thanks so much! This solution is going to save me a ton of time. I really appreciate the help.

[Barb Binder]

We are always happy to help, @Wren1080.

~Barb