Which one of them is non-breaking space?

[Bedazzled532]

Hi

I would like to know which one of the following spaces in InDesign is a non-breaking space:

Em-Space
En-Space
Hair Space
Sixth Space
Thin Space
Quarter Space
Third Space
Punctuation Space
Figure Space
Flush Space

I am in need of giving a non-breaking space but its width is too sless. I need atleast quarter space width non-breaking space.

I was thinking of giving a character style to actual non-breaking space and setting its width to 200% but its my last preference.

Thanks

[Eugene Tyson · Accepted solution]

In InDesign, the non-breaking space is a specific type of space that ensures the text on either side of the space does not break into a new line. Unfortunately, none of the spaces listed (like Em-Space, En-Space, Thin Space, etc.) are inherently non-breaking. However, you can make any space non-breaking using specific approaches.

Options for Non-Breaking Spaces in InDesign:
Default Non-Breaking Space

Insert a non-breaking space via:
Type > Insert White Space > Nonbreaking Space (or shortcut Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Space).

Customized Width for Non-Breaking Space

A non-breaking space will use the default space width, which may not fit your needs. Unfortunately, you cannot directly modify its width. Instead, you can use one of the following options:

Option 1: Use a Custom Space Character
Insert a Quarter Space or any other desired space:
Type > Insert White Space > [Desired Space Type].

Apply a No Break property via Character Formatting:
Open the Character panel or the Control bar.
Check the "No Break" box (found in the Character panel menu).

It really is best if you apply as GREP style in your Paragraph Style

Create a character style called No Break and only tick that function

In your paragraph style go to the GREP section and insert the Space type you're using and then select the Character Style.

This apply the style to the space you have choosen.

Option 2: Use GREP Style to Adjust Non-Breaking Space Width

Define a character style that adjusts the horizontal width % or your preferred value.
Apply a GREP Style to match all non-breaking spaces (~S) which applies the character style to non-breaking spaces only.

[Bedazzled532]

@Eugene Tyson Thank you so much.

[jmlevy]

Hi @Eugene Tyson 

Unfortunately, none of the spaces listed (like Em-Space, En-Space, Thin Space, etc.) are inherently non-breaking.

Are you sure? I think this is not true: you may know that French typographic rules require to use a thin space before the exclamation mark, the question mark and the semicolon. So I can ensure you that the thin space is a non-breaking space.

About em space, en space and others, I did a quick test a few minutes ago: in a justified paragraph without hyphenation, I replaced all the “regular” spaces with em spaces or en spaces. The result was that all the text was overset, which means that these spaces are non-breaking.

I had a list of all the non-breaking spaces but I am unable to find it. I think that it came from InDesign secrets website or InDesign Magazine

[Eugene Tyson]

Thanks for clarifying, that wasn't working for me earlier, but it is now.

Strange.

[Bedazzled532]

@jmlevy Thanks for clarifying. That list of yours will be very helpful. If you ever find it, plz do post it.

Thanks

[jmlevy]

@Bedazzled532 Yes, if I find it, I will post it. 

I am quite sure that all the spaces you have listed are non-breaking spaces. Definitively sure for the thin space.

[Eugene Tyson]

That's good to know - interesting why it wasn't working earlier, must have been something I did somehow.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

If it's useful, this is a relative space chart I composed a while ago:

[miss-charlotte]

Very helpful chart James.

[Willi Adelberger]

Any space with a given width will npt allow a break. 
But there are 2 non breaking spaces which normal width, one with fixed and the other with flexible width, depending on the paragraph setting in Paragraph Fine Tuning. 

[Bedazzled532]

@Willi Adelberger Thank you so much