Have you ever found the text on your pages to be too wide and difficult to skim? A wall of text can lead to important information being overlooked. Fortunately, there are solutions to this common problem. One solution is to separate large amounts of text by creating columns. Columns are sections of text that are separated by vertical guidelines. However, InDesign’s text frame tool doesn’t have a built-in column function. Don’t fret just yet because there are alternatives. Below is a three-step tutorial that will guide you through a simple way to create seamless columns in your InDesign document.
Firstly, you’re going to need text. If you have yet to create a text frame, you will need to use the Type Tool (T) and drag a text frame onto your page. From there, go to the top menu bar and click on “Type” then “Insert Special Character” then finally “Other”. This will lead you to an extensive character map where you will type in “column” and adjust the settings as seen in the image below. Click “ok” and drag the Column Break character into your text frame at the point where you want to split your text into columns. Repeat this process until you have created the desired number of columns. Afterward, adjust the spacing between the columns to your preference by clicking and dragging the guidelines in the rulers.
Alternatively, you can create the columns before inserting your text. Simply click on the text frame tool and create as many text frames beside each other as you want columns. Select all the text frames and then click on “Object” in the top menu bar then “Text Frame Options”. This will allow you to create even spacing between the frames. You can create gutters, the space between text frames, by inputting values in the “Space Between Columns” box. Finally, select “Link” so that InDesign knows to keep the text frames connected and insert your text. InDesign will flow your text perfectly through all the columns.
Aligning Columns
Once you have created your columns, you can align them to ensure a professional and visually appealing layout. Indesign offers several alignment options to suit different design aesthetics.
Horizontal Alignment
Choose from the following horizontal alignment options:
- Left Align: Text aligns to the left edge of the column.
- Center Align: Text is centered within the column.
- Right Align: Text aligns to the right edge of the column.
- Justify: Text spreads evenly across the entire width of the column.
Vertical Alignment
Specifying the vertical alignment determines how text is positioned within the column’s height:
- Top Align: Text is aligned with the top edge of the column.
- Center Align: Text is centered vertically within the column.
- Bottom Align: Text is aligned with the bottom edge of the column.
Gutter Alignment
The gutter is the space between adjacent columns. You can align the gutters between columns using the following options:
| Alignment | Description |
|---|---|
| Align Left Edge | Gutters align with the left edge of the first column. |
| Align Right Edge | Gutters align with the right edge of the last column. |
| Align Center | Gutters align with the center of the columns. |
Applying Column Rules
Column rules are vertical lines that separate columns of text. They can be used to improve the readability and visual appeal of your document. To apply a column rule, follow these steps:
1. Select the Columns Panel
Open the Columns panel by going to Layout > Columns. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + 1 (Win) or Cmd + Option + 1 (Mac).
2. Choose a Column Rule Type
In the Column Rules section of the Columns panel, choose a rule type: None, Single, or Double. Single creates a single line rule, while Double creates a double line rule. You can also choose to use a custom rule by clicking the Rule Options button.
3. Set Rule Stroke Weight
When using a custom rule, you can specify the stroke weight in points. A higher value will create a thicker rule.
4. Choose Rule Color
Click the color swatch next to Rule Color to select a color for the rule. You can choose any color from the color picker.
5. Set Gutter Space
Gutter space is the space between columns. Enter a value in the Gutter field to specify the amount of space between columns. A larger value will increase the spacing.
6. Define Rule Position
You can specify the position of the column rule within the gutter space. The following table shows the available options:
| Rule Position | Description |
|---|---|
| Inside | Positions the rule at the inside edge of the gutter space. |
| Outside | Positions the rule at the outside edge of the gutter space. |
| Centered | Centers the rule within the gutter space. |
Splitting Text Across Columns
To split text across columns, follow these steps:
- Select the text frame you want to divide into columns.
- Go to the “Layout” menu and select “Columns.”
- In the “Columns” dialogue box, enter the number of columns you want to create.
- Adjust the “Gutter” setting to specify the space between the columns.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
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You can also manually adjust the width of each column by dragging the column guides on the text frame.
To add a new column, hover your cursor over the right or left edge of an existing column and click on the “+” button that appears. To remove a column, hover your cursor over the column guide and click on the “-” button that appears.
| Column Width | Gutter | Number of Columns |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 0.25 inches | 3 |
| 2.5 inches | 0.5 inches | 2 |
| 3 inches | 0.75 inches | 1 |
How To Make Columns In Indesign
Columns are a useful way to organize text and make it more readable. InDesign makes it easy to create and format columns. Here’s how:
- Select the text frame you want to add columns to.
- Go to the Layout menu and select Columns.
- In the Columns dialog box, enter the number of columns you want.
- Choose a gutter width (the space between columns).
- Click OK.
You can also adjust the column widths and gutters after creating columns. To do this, select the text frame and go to the Layout menu. Then, select Column Options. In the Column Options dialog box, you can adjust the width of each column and the gutter width.
People Also Ask About How To Make Columns In Indesign
How do I create multiple columns in InDesign?
To create multiple columns in InDesign, follow the steps outlined above. You can specify the number of columns you want in the Columns dialog box.
How do I change the column width in InDesign?
To change the column width in InDesign, select the text frame and go to the Layout menu. Then, select Column Options. In the Column Options dialog box, you can adjust the width of each column.
How do I change the gutter width in InDesign?
To change the gutter width in InDesign, select the text frame and go to the Layout menu. Then, select Column Options. In the Column Options dialog box, you can adjust the gutter width.
