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Inspiring
October 26, 2020
Answered

Problems with baseline shift when editing text boxes

  • October 26, 2020
  • 11 replies
  • 11501 views

I've had this issue for ages now and still cannot find a solution that doesn't involve editing the Text Frame Options on every single text box on a page.

 

I am working with supplied artwork templates from a specific client in Germany. Whenever I select the text in a text box to edit it, the baseline shifts downwards, throwing off the templated text.

 

I have researched online and found, by trial and error, the only solution is to customise using Text Frame Options > Baseline Options, then select 'Use Custom Baseline Grid' and set Offset to 'Cap Height'. This re-sets the baseline again but I'm never confident it is exactly the same as the template I have been supplied as I am, essentially, tampering with a client's approved layout.

 

Is there a permanent solution to resolving this? I know this has been an issue going back quite a few versions of InDesign now and each update is supposed to have fixed this issue but it never has (and yes, I've used the old Preferences trash/re-set fob-off a number of times but this doesn't work, either).

 

Will this problem ever be resolved? It's not a good use of time to use the workaround every time I create a new file for this client as there are 20 - 30 text boxes on each artwork, which is a lot of extra unecessary editing that I can't bill onto the client.

 

I need to understand what is happening. Is it not retaining the custom preferences when I try to edit the text? I'm as at a loss as I was with this problem 2-3 years ago.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer rob day

I have researched online and found, by trial and error, the only solution is to customise using Text Frame Options > Baseline Options, then select 'Use Custom Baseline Grid' and set Offset to 'Cap Height'.

 

It’s the Offset that affects the starting baseline of the text frame, so with a text frame set to Center Vertical Justification, Cap Height would center upper and lower case text in the frame—you wouldn’t want to check Use Custom Baseline Grid if the object is to center the text.

 

 

 

 

 

You might want to check if the template is using Object Styles, which can include a First Baseline Offset setting. If the text frame has an Object Style assigned, which is Based on [Basic Text Frame] that might cause a conflict.

 

 

11 replies

jmlevy
Community Expert
October 26, 2020

Hi,

maybe it's a font problem. Are you absolutely sure that your client uses the exact same font as you? Did you try to ask him (her) a package, including the fonts?

cyclopsdxAuthor
Inspiring
October 26, 2020

Hi there.

 

Yes, the entire project is packaged by them and we use all their assets, fonts included. Additionally, when we open the ID documents, we get no errors saying there is a font issue or that we are missing fonts.