Creating columns in InDesign is a fundamental skill for any designer. It allows you to organize and structure your text, making it more readable and visually appealing. Whether you’re working on a newsletter, brochure, or magazine, columns can help you achieve a professional and polished look. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to create columns in InDesign.
To begin, create a new document in InDesign. Click on the “Layout” menu and select “Margins and Columns”. In the “Columns” section, enter the number of columns you want to create. You can also specify the width of the columns and the amount of space between them. Once you’re satisfied with your settings, click “OK”.
Your text will now be automatically formatted into columns. You can adjust the width of the columns by dragging the edges of the text frame. To add a new column, simply click on the “Insert” menu and select “Text Frame”. You can then drag the new text frame to the desired location. By following these simple steps, you can easily create columns in InDesign and enhance the readability and visual appeal of your document.
Design Considerations for Effective Columns
Text Column Width and Length
The width and length of your columns play a crucial role in readability and visual appeal. Here are some key considerations:
- Column Width: Aim for a column width between 50-80 characters, including spaces. This width ensures easy reading and prevents line breaks from disrupting the flow of text.
- Optimal Line Length: Research suggests that optimal line length for reading falls between 50-75 characters. Shorter lines may create a choppy appearance, while longer lines can strain readers’ eyes.
- Column Length: The length of your columns should be proportional to the column width. For columns with a width of 60-70 characters, a length of around 400-500 words is suitable. Longer columns may overwhelm readers, while shorter ones can feel too fragmented.
Additionally, consider the following factors when determining column width and length:
| Factor | Impact on Column Design |
|---|---|
| Font Size | Smaller fonts require narrower columns, while larger fonts can accommodate wider columns. |
| Line Height | Increased line height allows for wider columns without compromising readability. |
| Text Density | Dense text (e.g., technical writing) may require narrower columns, while less dense text (e.g., fiction) can handle wider columns. |
Creating Columns Using the Text Frame Tool
The text frame tool is a versatile tool that can be used to create a variety of text effects, including columns. To create columns using the text frame tool, follow these steps:
- Select the text frame tool from the toolbar.
- Click and drag to create a text frame on the page.
- Right-click on the text frame and select “Column Options” from the menu.
Column Options
The Column Options dialog box allows you to specify the number of columns, the width of the columns, and the spacing between the columns. You can also specify whether the columns should be balanced or not.
The following table describes the options available in the Column Options dialog box:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of columns | Specifies the number of columns in the text frame. |
| Column width | Specifies the width of the columns in inches or millimeters. |
| Gutter width | Specifies the spacing between the columns in inches or millimeters. |
| Balance columns | Specifies whether the columns should be balanced or not. If the “Balance columns” option is selected, the columns will be adjusted so that they are all the same height. |
Once you have specified the column options, click “OK” to close the dialog box and apply the changes to the text frame.
Setting Column Properties: Width, Spacing, and Gutter
When creating columns in InDesign, you can customize their properties to suit your design needs. The properties include width, spacing, and gutter, which can be adjusted to achieve the desired layout.
Column Width
The column width determines the horizontal size of each column. To set the column width, select the columns and enter the desired value in the Column Width field in the Paragraph panel. You can also use the Columns menu to access additional width options, such as specifying different widths for different columns.
Column Spacing
Column spacing refers to the horizontal distance between the columns. To set the column spacing, select the columns and enter the desired value in the Column Spacing field in the Paragraph panel. Increasing the spacing creates more space between the columns, while decreasing it reduces the space.
Gutter
The gutter is the vertical space between the columns. It provides a margin between the columns and the text within them. To set the gutter, select the columns and enter the desired value in the Gutter field in the Paragraph panel. A larger gutter creates more vertical space, while a smaller gutter reduces it.
Here’s a table that summarizes the column properties and how to adjust them:
| Property | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Column Width | Paragraph panel > Column Width |
| Column Spacing | Paragraph panel > Column Spacing |
| Gutter | Paragraph panel > Gutter |
Creating Columns with the Table Tool
Creating columns using the Table Tool is a simple and straightforward method in InDesign. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Create a New Document: Start by creating a new InDesign document.
2. Select the Table Tool: From the Toolbar, select the Table Tool (T) icon.
3. Draw the Column Structure: Click and drag on the page to create the desired number of rows and columns for your table. To create a single column, hold down the Shift key while dragging.
4. Adjust Column Settings (Optional): With the table selected, you can adjust the column widths and heights by dragging the blue boundaries or using the Table Options panel (Window > Table).
5. Advanced Column Options: The Table Options panel provides advanced options for customizing your columns:
Column Gutter: Set the space between columns, the gutter, in inches or millimeters.
Number of Gutter Lines: Specify the number of lines used to separate the columns.
Header Rows or Footer Rows: Define the number of header or footer rows for the table.
Skip First Header Row or Skip Last Footer Row: Exclude the first header row or the last footer row from column calculations.
Separate Header/Footer Rows: Create separate header or footer rows that are not part of the main table content.
Customizing Column Styles and Formatting
InDesign allows for extensive customization of column styles, enabling you to create unique and visually appealing layouts.
Column Widths and Spacing
Adjust the width of each column by modifying the “Width” field in the Paragraph Styles panel. The “Gutter” setting controls the spacing between columns.
Column Ruler Guides
Display visual guides for column boundaries by enabling “Show Column Ruler Guides” in the View menu. This helps you position text and images accurately within columns.
Offsetting and Indenting Columns
Create irregular layouts by offsetting or indenting individual columns. Use the “Offset” and “Indent” fields in the Paragraph Styles panel to adjust their position.
Baseline Grid and Margins
Ensure consistent alignment of text across columns by defining a common baseline grid in the Paragraph Styles panel. Adjust the margins around columns to control the distance from the edges of the page.
Advanced Column Formatting
For greater flexibility in column design, use the “Text Frame Options” dialog box. Here, you can control column rules, flow options, and wrapping behavior, allowing you to create complex and visually stunning layouts.
Creating Custom Column Styles
To create a new column style, select the “Create New Column Style” option in the Paragraph Styles panel. Assign a name to the style and customize its settings as desired. This allows you to reuse your preferred column configurations across multiple pages or documents.
Adding Drop Caps and Other Special Effects
In addition to basic text formatting, InDesign offers a range of special effects to enhance your text’s visual appeal. These effects include drop caps, small caps, superscripts and subscripts, and strikethroughs.
Drop Caps
A drop cap is an enlarged, decorative letter at the beginning of a paragraph. To create a drop cap, select the first letter of the paragraph and go to the “Type” menu. Under the “Drop Caps and Nested Styles” submenu, select “Create Drop Cap”. In the “Drop Cap Options” dialog box, you can customize the appearance of the drop cap, including its size, offset, and number of lines to drop.
Small Caps
Small caps are a reduced version of capital letters. To convert text to small caps, select the text and go to the “Type” menu. Under the “Type Case” submenu, select “Small Caps”.
Superscripts and Subscripts
Superscripts and subscripts are raised or lowered characters. To create a superscript or subscript, select the character and go to the “Type” menu. Under the “Type Case” submenu, select “Superscript” or “Subscript”.
Strikethroughs
Strikethroughs are lines that cross out text. To create a strikethrough, select the text and go to the “Type” menu. Under the “Type Style” submenu, select “Strikethrough”.
| Special Effect | Menu Command |
|---|---|
| Drop Cap | Type > Drop Caps and Nested Styles > Create Drop Cap |
| Small Caps | Type > Type Case > Small Caps |
| Superscript | Type > Type Case > Superscript |
| Subscript | Type > Type Case > Subscript |
| Strikethrough | Type > Type Style > Strikethrough |
How to Create Columns In InDesign
Columns are a great way to organize and structure your text in InDesign. They can be used to create multi-column layouts for newspapers, magazines, and other publications. Here’s how to create columns in InDesign:
1. Open your InDesign document.
2. Click on the Page Tool in the Tools panel.
3. Click and drag to create a text frame on your page.
4. Select the text frame with the Selection Tool.
5. Click on the Columns icon in the Control panel.
6. In the Columns dialog box, enter the number of columns you want to create.
7. You can also adjust the gutter width (the space between the columns) and the column width.
8. Click OK to create the columns.
People Also Ask
How do I delete columns in InDesign?
To delete columns in InDesign, select the text frame with the Selection Tool and click on the Columns icon in the Control panel. In the Columns dialog box, enter 1 in the Number of Columns field. Click OK to delete the columns.
How do I adjust the column width in InDesign?
To adjust the column width in InDesign, select the text frame with the Selection Tool. Hover your mouse over the edge of a column until you see the resize cursor. Click and drag to adjust the column width.
How do I add a gutter between columns in InDesign?
To add a gutter between columns in InDesign, select the text frame with the Selection Tool. Click on the Columns icon in the Control panel. In the Columns dialog box, increase the Gutter value. Click OK to add the gutter.
