Skip to main content
M
Monomotor
Inspiring
October 4, 2022
Question

Why does InDesign automatically set a paragraph style for all an imported .doc file?

  • October 4, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 300 views

When I import a .doc file, making sure to check the "Remove Styles and Formatting from Text and Tables", InDesign automatically applies a specific paragraph style I'm using to a list. The same happens when I create a new text box and write something.

 

The style that was applied is not set to [Basic Paragaph] and it is also not a style that is tied to [Basic Text Frame] in object styles.

This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

Scott Falkner
Scott Falkner
Community Expert
October 4, 2022

That is the default paragraph style in all InDesign documents. Unless you select no paragraph style before importing the text it will be applied to unformatted text.

 

You should do a few things with Basic Paragraph Style: Nothing, nothing, and nothing.

  1. Do not ever apply Basic Paragraph Style to any text. The best way to do this is to open the Paragraph Styles panel and click in the empty area below so that the default formatting is no paragraph style. Do this with an open document and you set that as the default formatting for only that document. Do this when no document is open and you set that only for newly created documents. Defaults in existing files are unaffected.
  2. Do not edit Basic Paragraph style. If you do then text copied between documents will usually change formatting when pasted.
  3. Do not base any styles you create on Basic Paragraph Style.
rob day
rob day
Community Expert
October 4, 2022

Hi @Monomotor , With no documents open try choosing Break Link to Style from the Paragraph Panel’s flyout menu:

 

 

 

Now when you create a new document and text frame the frame’s text will have no style:

 

 

    rob day
    rob day
    Community Expert
    October 4, 2022

    If I select some text and break the link to its Paragraph Style nothing will be highlighted in the Paragraph Styles list, and if I run this script:

     

    alert("The selected text’s Paragraph Style is: \r" + app.activeDocument.selection[0].appliedParagraphStyle.name)

     

    I get this:

     

     

     

     

    Now if I Place a Word doc with these options:

     

     

    And select the placed text it has no style applied:

     

      Lukas Engqvist
      Lukas Engqvist
      Community Expert
      October 4, 2022

      InDesign will use the style of the cursor placement, or the defaults. It is not unusual for users to change defaults or load defaults inedvertently.

      E
      Eugene Tyson
      Community Expert
      October 4, 2022

      InDesign system is based on Styles - it has to have some sort of style applied to it. 

       

       

      M
      MonomotorAuthor
      Inspiring
      October 4, 2022

      Sure, but in this case he's applying a seemingly random style, which I didn't choose. Wouldn't the right thing be to apply the style of [Basic Paragraph] or the style linked to [Basic Text Frame]?

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices