Using tabs in split column

[deborrah120]

Hi. I've used the Control Panel Split Column feature to make a list 2 columns in my text frame. I want to move the second column over an inch, so I tried using tabs but it won't work. Any advice? Thanks so much in advance.

[Michael Bullo]

The Span Columns feature has adjustable values for both Inside Gutter and Outside Gutter.

The Paragraph formatting feature contains adjustable values for both Left Indent and Right Indent.

Can any of these options help you out?

[deborrah120]

Thanks very much for taking the time to help me. I can't find any features that change the inside or outside gutter for Split Columns or for Span Columns. I also can't find any way that the paragraph formatting feature can apply to these columns. It seems they are both accessed via the Tabs feature. When I explore that, I can't find any way to control the placement of the columns.

[Michael Bullo]

If you are using Paragraph Styles you can find those options here…

The Inside and Outside Gutter options can also be found by holding down the Alt/Option key while clicking on the icon within the Control panel that runs across the top of InDesign. To see this option ensure that you are looking at the Paragraph options and not the Character options.

Hope this helps.

[deborrah120]

Now I see what you mean. Thanks for explaining. I worked with this for awhile and although I can move the first col freely, I can only move the second col a minor amount. I'd like to move it to the left .25" but the para style options won't allow me to move just that col as much as I'd like to closer to the first col. Probably because I've split them I guess. Image below shows how far I can move the right col to the left. 0 is the value for that.

[Michael Bullo]

It sounds like you may be at the limits of what these particular formatting features can offer. A couple of other methods you could explore...

1. Place the content of the list within a table. It's possible to cut and paste a table within text in another text box.
2. Use multiple text boxes. ie. Have your list sit within a stand alone text box that you could more easily format.

[rob day · Accepted solution]

Try setting a Left paragraph indent for the list paragraphs, and leave the Outside Gutter as 0, which will let you move the right column via the Inside Gutter until there is no space on the right.

[deborrah120]

Thanks for this idea. I'll test it out and see if it works for this project. I appreciate your help!

[nigelfrench]

Another approach that might give you more flexibility...

Set the text frame as a two column frame and have first paragraph span the columns. You can adjust the left and right indents of the two column text as necessary.