This can be effective for short passages of text where you want to maintain a flush look, but don't want to compromise the meaning of the text.įigure 9.3. Instead of indents, try separating paragraphs with an em or en space, or with a decorative paragraph mark.
Hanging indents indesign cc 2015 full#
This can be problematic if the last lines of the paragraphs run the full column measure, making it difficult for the reader to discern one paragraph from another. In Germany, as well as in some newspapers where space is especially tight, it's popular to have the paragraphs flush left, without any indentation. If a paragraph follows a heading or subhead, the first-line indent is unnecessary to differentiate that paragraph and should be dropped.ĭropping the first-line indent and adding a line of paragraph spacing before is a simple way to indicate a separation without implying a hierarchical difference between two paragraphs of type. (See Chapter 16: Everything in it Right Place: Using Grids.) Unless that is you ensure that your total paragraph spacing is a multiple of your baseline grid. It's an either/or proposition.ĭon't use first line-indents on centered or right-aligned type.Īny paragraph spacing values will be overridden by the baseline grid if you align all the lines of your paragraph to the grid. To some degree it's a matter of preference, but here are some things to consider:ĭon't use first-line indents and paragraph spacing. While first-line indents are generally more suited to reading matter, be it magazine or newspaper articles or literature, paragraph spacing may be more appropriate for reference material. Don't create your first-line indents with tabs, or worse, by pressing the spacebar multiple times.įigure 9.2. How (and How Not) to Add First-Line Indentsįirst-line indents can be applied through the Control palette, or better yet, incorporated into a style sheet definition. Just make sure your first-line indent is not bigger than the exit lines of your paragraphs, as this will create ugly areas of trapped space between paragraphs. Some people prefer a slightly larger indent, especially if they're working with wide columns. Alternatively you can use your leading increment so that if your text is 10/12, then a 12-point first line indent is suitable. Anything less and the indent may be missed. If you're using 10-point type, a 10-point first-line indent is suitable. There is no hard and fast rule, but 1 em is a good starting point. While blunt beginnings seem to create a uniform and consistent impression when compared to normal typesetting, this impression is paid for with a serious loss of comprehension." How Big Should They Be? And that is its most important disadvantage. Paragraphs without indent…are a bad habit and should be eliminated." And more: "Typesetting without indentation makes it difficult for the reader to comprehend what has been printed. The famous typographer wrote several articles about first-line indents and was unequivocal on the subject: "The beginnings of paragraphs must be indented. They're indents on the first line of a paragraph. You wouldn't think there would be too much to say about first-line indents. The humble first-line indent plays a crucial role in the readability of documents, notifying the reader that one paragraph has ended and a new one is about to begin.
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