Adobe InDesign: Feature Requests
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2. Why is this valuable to you?
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5565 results found
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Add sentence case to character options
Add sentence case to the character options (alongside all caps, small caps, lowercase, etc.). My clients often send content with titles typed in all caps, and I’d like a quick, reliable way to convert them to sentence case (and/or title case).
2 votes -
Grids in Document setting
Grids do not belong to the app settings. Should be part of document settings.
Rework Styles/Settings.
In Styles, the tabs are not logical.
How is Language and 'Advanced Character Format'?
Why is 'Align to Grid' part of 'Indents and Spacing'?
Lots of work to do there.2 votes -
When using Find/Replace, show how many instances were found.
If I'm trying to find something in a document to modify it slightly, I'll use Find to find it. If there's only two instances of the thing occurring, than I can just quickly manually fix it. If there's 200 instances though, then I know I either need to be more specific in my search or start writing some GREP. The problem is that I have no way of knowing how many times the thing I'm looking for occurs, and if it's a lot I would have to click through "Find Next" an unknown number of times. When replacing items, there is a pop-up that tells me how many items were changed, but it would nice to know that number before I hit "Replace."
This is also useful in catching mistakes, especially in cases where I made the change in all open documents, realize that my find+replace should not have caused 2,000 replacements, and now have to go into each document and ctrl+z.
If I have a similar issue in Microsoft Word and use Find, Word shows me in a side panel how many times the thing I searched for occurs in the document, and then I can make decisions on how best to proceed.
I don't think an entire side panel is necessary, but could you just add a line in the Find+Replace window or a pop-up that says "found 80 times" or whatever? Find+Replace has a pop-up that says how many items were replaced, but it would be helpful if I could know how many things I'm changing before I actually change it. If you think the pop-up would be annoying for every Find, maybe it could be an additional button next to "Find Next", like "Find How Many"? It would also be helpful if this highlighted every instance of the search in the document, but I'd settle for just a "found x times" message.
If I'm trying to find something in a document to modify it slightly, I'll use Find to find it. If there's only two instances of the thing occurring, than I can just quickly manually fix it. If there's 200 instances though, then I know I either need to be more specific in my search or start writing some GREP. The problem is that I have no way of knowing how many times the thing I'm looking for occurs, and if it's a lot I would have to click through "Find Next" an unknown number of times. When replacing items, there…
2 votes -
See Page Content Order and Structure Types (as in Acrobat) in InDesign
The InDesign/Acrobat accessible PDF workflow is a nightmare. Fixing reading order and tags in Acrobat is one particularly frustrating aspect of that nightmare.
It would be very helpful – and a major time-saver because of these issues in Acrobat – to be able to see Page Content Order and Structure Types, as displayed in Acrobat when the Reading Order tool is active, in InDesign so that issues can be resolved BEFORE export to interactive PDF.
A much more productive solution would be to have live updates in Acrobat as changes are made in InDesign. I'd be seriously impressed if you could get that to work. Forget rubbish AI-generated cartoons and concentrate on more practical issues, please. Improvements in the InDesign/Acrobat accessible PDF workflow are long, long, long overdue.
The InDesign/Acrobat accessible PDF workflow is a nightmare. Fixing reading order and tags in Acrobat is one particularly frustrating aspect of that nightmare.
It would be very helpful – and a major time-saver because of these issues in Acrobat – to be able to see Page Content Order and Structure Types, as displayed in Acrobat when the Reading Order tool is active, in InDesign so that issues can be resolved BEFORE export to interactive PDF.
A much more productive solution would be to have live updates in Acrobat as changes are made in InDesign. I'd be seriously impressed if…
2 votes -
technology
I would like to suggest integrating generative AI testing tools capabilities into InDesign to enhance automation and smart workflow optimization. By leveraging AI-driven intelligence, InDesign could automatically analyze document layouts, detect design inconsistencies, suggest formatting improvements, and even generate templates based on user behavior or uploaded samples.
This would significantly reduce manual effort, improve design accuracy, and streamline repetitive publishing tasks. Integrating AI-powered automation similar to generative AI testing tools could make InDesign more adaptive, intelligent, and efficient for modern content creators and production teams.
2 votes -
Reorganise the SWATCHES WINDOW to be able to see ALL colour values
Many os us (designers) don't have a huge screen to be able to spread all windows/tools allover thus, my request is regarding the way the colours names are displayed in the swatches window. I can’t see all values!!! (check attached image)
Even using the "small list view", all values can't been seen (this is what I see now: C=30 M=60 Y=4...) unless the swatches window is really wide... using too much space out of my screen. (check attached image)
Maybe a quick solution could be using C30 M60 Y40 K10 instead of C=30 M=60 Y=40 K=10
There are also many space “not used”, but still the total full colour value can’t be seen. (check attached image)
Many os us (designers) don't have a huge screen to be able to spread all windows/tools allover thus, my request is regarding the way the colours names are displayed in the swatches window. I can’t see all values!!! (check attached image)
Even using the "small list view", all values can't been seen (this is what I see now: C=30 M=60 Y=4...) unless the swatches window is really wide... using too much space out of my screen. (check attached image)
Maybe a quick solution could be using C30 M60 Y40 K10 instead of C=30 M=60 Y=40 K=10
There are also many…
2 votes -
Page numbering starting with 0 (zero)
Page numbering in InDesign can start from 1 oder any other higher number, but not from 0 (zero). Though this might be a rare case, this case occured to me for a type of documents that use zero-based indexing for page numbering.
2 votes -
Alternative to GREP: keywords
Grep styles are incredibly useful to use, and I use them very frequently. However, sometimes I would simply like to apply a style to a long list of keywords. To illustrate an example, I like to apply a style to game terms when writing for TTRPGs.
This is technically doable via Grep but quickly becomes unwieldy when the list of words is long. I would love some way to include a large list of words and automatically apply a character style to any word that appears in that list. Alternatively, a way to quickly copy all grep styles from one paragraph style to another
Grep styles are incredibly useful to use, and I use them very frequently. However, sometimes I would simply like to apply a style to a long list of keywords. To illustrate an example, I like to apply a style to game terms when writing for TTRPGs.
This is technically doable via Grep but quickly becomes unwieldy when the list of words is long. I would love some way to include a large list of words and automatically apply a character style to any word that appears in that list. Alternatively, a way to quickly copy all grep styles from one…
2 votes -
Option to add deadline and reminders to InDesign Review
It would be very helpful if a we could add a deadline as well as reminders if the link isn't opened before the deadline.
2 votes -
I'd like to be able to choose odd or even pages, both when printing and when exporting PDFs. Thanks.
2 votes -
Better printing options
Since Publisher is being discontinued by microsoft I have switched to indesign looking for a replacement. I am loving many of the features but it is VERY difficult to print from indesign myself. I literally have to click into 3 windows and a separate drop-down to make sure my files are printing the right direction, on the right size paper, and if I need a flip, flipping the right direction. Also, There is no preview option, I especially miss the preview option in publisher where I can lower the opacity and see what the front and back flipped pages will look like together. I know this is more geared toward professional uses that are going to be sent out to a printing service, but having some of those features would be phenominal.
Oh, also, being able to make the page size you want and then just saying, hey, print 10 of these to a page or whatever. because Step and repeat is fun, but would be great if I didn't have to actually think about any of that.Since Publisher is being discontinued by microsoft I have switched to indesign looking for a replacement. I am loving many of the features but it is VERY difficult to print from indesign myself. I literally have to click into 3 windows and a separate drop-down to make sure my files are printing the right direction, on the right size paper, and if I need a flip, flipping the right direction. Also, There is no preview option, I especially miss the preview option in publisher where I can lower the opacity and see what the front and back flipped pages will…
2 votes -
"Preview" checkbox selected by default in ALL dialog boxes
Please make it to where the "Preview" checkbox starts out checked by default.
OR: why not get rid of the box altogether.
We definitely want to preview the changes we're making w/o having to check an extra box every time.
Thanks!2 votes -
Support for CMYKOGV (eg. FOGRA 55)
Certification was completed back in 2021 after conclusion of a FOGRA research project. The color exchange profile (ICC) can be downloaded from the FOGRA website.
In essence expanded (or extended, varies by publication) color gamut offset printing is the idea of increasing the color space of CMYK using 3 additional colors (orange, green, violet).
CMYKOGV as characterized by FOGRA 55 is proofable using Epson SureColor printers (P7570, P9570).
I have seen several printers already offering 7c offset print. These days it's basically to cut down on cost (to achieve almost complete Pantone coverage without having to resort to actually spot colors).
A first viable compatibility step would be for InDesign to export CMYKOGV in PDF/X-3/X-1a as 4C + spot color plates, since FOGRA 55 is based on FOGRA 51.
The obvious missing piece is for InDesign to actually support CMYKOGV, which in itself is going to be quite a journey as the color model is everything but intuitive.
Maybe the use of an exchange color space (CMYK or RGB) that maps 100% to the gamut of CMYKOGV and is only separated on export (or for separation preview) would be the way to implement that in a way that users will actually be able to deal with.
Right now I have a project, which would usually be done in offset printing given the scale, but for DTP color gamut reasons will probably have to be done in digital print. It's rare to have the issue that you have the technical means to get it printed, but lack the means to create the preprint files these days.
There are sketchy workarounds, such as providing preprint files where some objects are defined in RGB color spaces, then get it proofed using 7c target and hope that the printing shop will actually manage to convert the RGB objects into 7c the right way.
Certification was completed back in 2021 after conclusion of a FOGRA research project. The color exchange profile (ICC) can be downloaded from the FOGRA website.
In essence expanded (or extended, varies by publication) color gamut offset printing is the idea of increasing the color space of CMYK using 3 additional colors (orange, green, violet).
CMYKOGV as characterized by FOGRA 55 is proofable using Epson SureColor printers (P7570, P9570).
I have seen several printers already offering 7c offset print. These days it's basically to cut down on cost (to achieve almost complete Pantone coverage without having to resort to actually spot…
2 votes -
The new Mac operating system doesn't support postscript anymore so it's critical to give us the option to save a booklet in pdf.
Eiminate the postscript option in print booklet and replace it with pdf. for saving the booklet on desktop
2 votes -
Organize styles (any type: paragraph, character, objects, ...) like a PRO
How WONDERFULL would be to have the possibility of AUTOMATICALLY order styles. How? I wish InDesign would assign automatic cascading numbering to folders and the paragraph styles that it contains.
[I've attached an image example.]
The idea would be that each generated folder would have an automatic number (based on its order in the window): 01, 02, 03, ...; and the paragraph styles within that folder would have that same numbering: 01.00, 02.00, 03.00, ...
When adding subfolders to the main folder, the numbering would continue: 01.01., 01.02., 01.03, ...; and the styles within those subfolders would also have that numbering.I've been doing this manually for years, and having this option automatically would save me hours of work. The best part: if I want to change the order and move a folder up or down every folder and number within will change automatically too.
I know it might sound like I'm being obsessive about organization, but it would be a VERY USEFUL tool for keeping styles tidy.
How WONDERFULL would be to have the possibility of AUTOMATICALLY order styles. How? I wish InDesign would assign automatic cascading numbering to folders and the paragraph styles that it contains.
[I've attached an image example.]
The idea would be that each generated folder would have an automatic number (based on its order in the window): 01, 02, 03, ...; and the paragraph styles within that folder would have that same numbering: 01.00, 02.00, 03.00, ...
When adding subfolders to the main folder, the numbering would continue: 01.01., 01.02., 01.03, ...; and the styles within those subfolders would also have that…2 votes -
2 votes
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Native Support for Bibliographic Citations and Plugin Integration with Reference Managers (Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley, etc.)
Unlike Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign lacks built-in tools for managing bibliographic citations, in-text references, and automated bibliography generation. This is a major limitation for users creating academic papers, scientific publications, books, theses, or any long-form documents with sources.Currently, we rely on workarounds like:Drafting in Word with citation plugins (e.g., Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley), then placing static text into InDesign.
Third-party scripts (e.g., zot2indd for Zotero), which are unofficial and limited.Requested features:Native dynamic citation fields (similar to Word's References tab) for inserting in-text citations and auto-generating/updating a bibliography.
Official plugin/extension support or API integration for popular reference managers like Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley, Citavi, etc.
Support for common styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE, etc.) with automatic formatting and updates when sources change.
Hyperlinks between in-text citations and bibliography entries.This would make InDesign much more viable for professional and academic publishing workflows without forcing users to switch apps mid-process.Thank you for considering this—it's a highly requested improvement for many in education, research, and technical authoring
Unlike Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign lacks built-in tools for managing bibliographic citations, in-text references, and automated bibliography generation. This is a major limitation for users creating academic papers, scientific publications, books, theses, or any long-form documents with sources.Currently, we rely on workarounds like:Drafting in Word with citation plugins (e.g., Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley), then placing static text into InDesign.
Third-party scripts (e.g., zot2indd for Zotero), which are unofficial and limited.Requested features:Native dynamic citation fields (similar to Word's References tab) for inserting in-text citations and auto-generating/updating a bibliography.
Official plugin/extension support or API integration for popular reference managers like Zotero, EndNote,…2 votes -
Table of Contents updates
When making changes in the TOC dialogue box, if you just press "OK", the changes are only made until you next update the TOC (why?? Where's the warning??!) It's intuitive to expect that pressing OK is updating the TOC style permanently.
Instead, you need to press "Save Style" & go through the process of overwriting the style. OK should automatically overwrite the style & then you "Save Style" if you want to create an alternate.
I had a large print job stuffed up because of this. I know that others have mentioned this (but I couldn't go through 57 pages of search results to find it).I also 'second' requests:
• IMPERATIVE - be able to resize the TOC dialogue box (even automatically to fit the length of the list) - this is currently frustrating & time-consuming to have to scroll through to find the correct Paragraph Style & not being able to see the entire name of them (other boxes were previously changed to allow this but this one was neglected);
• The ability to insert a set distance between the page number & the contents text to allow for automatic soft returns.• HANDY - To be able to update the TOC from the right-click context menu when the TOC text box is selected; &
• Option to update TOC on export or close might be nice.When making changes in the TOC dialogue box, if you just press "OK", the changes are only made until you next update the TOC (why?? Where's the warning??!) It's intuitive to expect that pressing OK is updating the TOC style permanently.
Instead, you need to press "Save Style" & go through the process of overwriting the style. OK should automatically overwrite the style & then you "Save Style" if you want to create an alternate.
I had a large print job stuffed up because of this. I know that others have mentioned this (but I couldn't go through 57 pages…2 votes -
Selected or Page in Find/Change
Earlier versions of InDesign included a “Search: Selected” option in Find/Change.
This made it possible to safely replace text only within a selected area or page.In current versions, this option has been removed, and Search: Document ignores selections entirely, making page-specific replacements impossible when text exists in multiple, unthreaded text frames.
This is a serious regression for production and packaging design workflows, where the same value (order number, batch number, SKU) appears multiple times per page and must be changed per page only.
Please restore Search: Selected, or introduce a Search: Page scope in Find/Change.
2 votes -
The ability to find/change Table, Cell styles and Object Styles
It would be great if we could find/replace specific Table styles, Cell styes and Object Styles. So basically have them available under the Find/Change options. This would be so useful for replacing Table and Cell styles in a large number of tables in a document. Now we have to manually select each table or cell/row/column to change them individually. It would save a lot of time if this could be more automated. Zie attached image for interface example.
2 votes
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