Paragraph Style Exception — Rules

[many islands]

Hi, I'm creating a style with paragraph rules below every line.

I would like to have the last line of the paragraph with no rule (an exception to the style) but I can't find how to do it, besides going one by one and unchecking the rule on that last paragraph by hand.

Any idea how to make an exception to the style? I'm creating a template for a client and the more automated it is, the better.

Thanks!

[jmlevy · Accepted solution]

You need 2 different styles; one with a rule, another one without.

Or you don't use paragraph rules, but create each rule in a separate paragraph with an underlined tab (I would use the first solution: 2 different styles).

[Eugene Tyson]

Hey I missed your reply - that's good advice.

[Eugene Tyson]

You can't have exceptions.

Consider two paragraph styles

One without a rule above as the first style - with apply next style as being the style with the rule

Then a 2nd style based on the style 

Then set the paragraph rule above for the 2nd style

You can then apply that style then the next style to apply the styling correctly.

https://layersmagazine.com/what-is-next-style-in-indesign-cc.html#:~:text=Next%20Style%20is%20one%20....

[jane-e]

Nice article from @Jeff Witchel, ACI  , Eugene!

Jane

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Hard to believe that was 8 years ago. I really miss Layers magazine.

[Eugene Tyson]

Indeed, Jeff. I believe it's where we crossed paths, and so glad to have met such a knowledgable, kind and generous person. 

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Right back at you Eugene!

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Here is a similar article for Layers Magazine* circa 2010 (InDesign next style section starts on page 3).

*Formally Mac Design Magazine

[Willi Adelberger]

Including the headline you need only to have 2 styles, if the ruler is not below defined, but above. So the headline needs no ruler, but only the other style. If the ruler is above, no other style at the end is needed. It makes optical no difference.

[Willi Adelberger]

Use for the headline no rule, for all others rule above, no rule below. Keep options with keep before.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

As noted, you have to have two different styles, one way or the other.

InDesign does not have CSS-like rules such as '::last-child' to apply structural changes automatically. But with clear naming of the styles, a novice user should be able to sort out the usage.

—

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Assuming your page has no background like your image shows, could you try putting a paper-color box on the master page that covers up the bottom rule? You would need to make a top-level layer to hold the master page items. and put any footer items on top of the box. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

As good a technical answer as any (and, as almost always, ID has several solutions in the box for every layout issue)... but the need to make this layout accessible to downstream users would steer me away from using layers. I can see the "magical disappearing text" confusing the heck out of a less-experienced user, and if they unlock layers to "fix things"... ayy.

—

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Respectively disagree. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Oh, won't argue, and your judgment of how novices perceive things is probably better than mine. Just thinking of how difficult it is to make things foolproof, and all. 🙂

All depends on the abilities of the template users.

—

[Randy Devost]

It's too bad that we cannot have the option to easily omit a rule being applied to a paragraph that doesn't have a hard return entered.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Well, "a paragraph" is a string of text ending in a pilcrow/paragraph mark/paragraph end.

A string of text ending in a soft return is just part of a larger paragraph.

ID is overwhelminging paragraph- and style-based. You need to work from and within that model or every task will be uphill and difficult.