Adobe InDesign: Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
1. Description
2. Why is this valuable to you?
Thank you.
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No existing idea results
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5559 results found
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Add Navigator to inDesign, exactly like the one in Photoshop (Window>Navigator). Thanks.
Navigator in inDesign, please, like Photoshop or Illustrator.
1 vote -
Add "First Paragraph Options" within Paragraph Styles
Feature Request:
Introduce a new section within Paragraph Style Options called "First Paragraph Options" (similar to how "Drop Caps and Nested Styles" works). This would allow users to define specific formatting rules that apply only to the very first paragraph in a consecutive sequence of paragraphs sharing the exact same style.The Problem:
Currently, when a style is applied to multiple consecutive paragraphs, any formatting specific to the opening paragraph requires creating a separate, dedicated paragraph style.A classic example is book typesetting:
- The first paragraph of a chapter or section should not have a first-line indent, while all subsequent paragraphs should.
- Long block quotations spanning multiple paragraphs require the first paragraph to have no indent, while the following ones do.
Creating two distinct styles (e.g., "Quote First" and "Quote Body") creates a major issue with layout automation: the "Space Between Paragraphs Using Same Style" option breaks down. Because InDesign sees them as two different styles, it applies the standard "Space After/Before" instead of the unified spacing, forcing manual adjustments or complex workaround styles.
Proposed Solution:
Allow a single Paragraph Style to handle the exception for the first paragraph. If the style is applied to three consecutive paragraphs, InDesign should automatically detect the first one and apply the specific overrides defined in the style (such as removing the first-line indent or adding a drop cap), while maintaining the "Space Between" logic seamlessly across the entire block.Feature Request:
Introduce a new section within Paragraph Style Options called "First Paragraph Options" (similar to how "Drop Caps and Nested Styles" works). This would allow users to define specific formatting rules that apply only to the very first paragraph in a consecutive sequence of paragraphs sharing the exact same style.The Problem:
Currently, when a style is applied to multiple consecutive paragraphs, any formatting specific to the opening paragraph requires creating a separate, dedicated paragraph style.A classic example is book typesetting:
- The first paragraph of a chapter or section should not have a first-line indent, while all subsequent…
1 vote -
Support Multiple PDF Preset Exports During File Packaging
The Problem:
Currently, when finalizing a project, designers must manually run multiple export cycles. We have to export a clean "Proof" PDF (no crops/bleeds) for client approval, and then a "Print" PDF (with crops/bleeds) for the press vendor. Doing this separately for every single job adds unnecessary clicks, wastes time, and introduces the risk of human error (e.g., forgetting to update one of the PDFs after a last-minute edit).
The Requested Feature:
Expand the "Package" dialog box settings to allow users to select multiple PDF Output Presets simultaneously via checkboxes.
When the user hits "Package," InDesign should automatically generate all selected PDF presets and place them directly into the final packaged folder.
Why This Helps InDesign Users:
Efficiency:
Cuts the time spent on manual file handoffs in half.
Accuracy:
Ensures both the proof and production PDFs are generated from the exact same state of the layout, eliminating version confusion.
Streamlined Workflow:
Makes file packaging a true one-click solution for production artists.
The Problem:
Currently, when finalizing a project, designers must manually run multiple export cycles. We have to export a clean "Proof" PDF (no crops/bleeds) for client approval, and then a "Print" PDF (with crops/bleeds) for the press vendor. Doing this separately for every single job adds unnecessary clicks, wastes time, and introduces the risk of human error (e.g., forgetting to update one of the PDFs after a last-minute edit).
The Requested Feature:
Expand the "Package" dialog box settings to allow users to select multiple PDF Output Presets simultaneously via checkboxes.
When the user hits "Package," InDesign should automatically generate all…
1 vote -
Make Swatch Groups moveable in the swatches panel
Swatch groups are currently always at the bottom of the swatches panel and can't be moved around. Loose, single swatches are sometimes less important than the ones in groups. So being able to have a group at the top of the panel would be beneficial in situations where the swatches panel is small.
1 vote -
Request for Native HEX Color Support in Adobe InDesign for Modern Digital Workflows
I would really like the ability to use HEX color values directly in InDesign. I understand that InDesign is primarily designed with print workflows in mind, where CMYK and spot colors are the standard, but more and more of us are working in hybrid or fully digital environments.
As teams continue to move their entire design workflows into Adobe Creative Cloud, having better support for digital-first color systems would make a big difference. Being able to input HEX codes natively would help bridge the gap between design tools and web or UI workflows, where HEX is the standard.
It would also reduce friction when collaborating across disciplines, since designers wouldn’t need to constantly convert between color formats or rely on external tools just to match brand colors accurately. Even a simple HEX input field or picker option would make InDesign significantly more flexible for modern digital production.
Last edited by steal a brainrot
I would really like the ability to use HEX color values directly in InDesign. I understand that InDesign is primarily designed with print workflows in mind, where CMYK and spot colors are the standard, but more and more of us are working in hybrid or fully digital environments.
As teams continue to move their entire design workflows into Adobe Creative Cloud, having better support for digital-first color systems would make a big difference. Being able to input HEX codes natively would help bridge the gap between design tools and web or UI workflows, where HEX is the standard.
It would…
1 vote -
Feature Request: Use Alternate Layout Name as Export File Name When exporting documents from InDesign (especially to JPG, PNG, PDF, or othe
Feature Request: Use Alternate Layout Name as Export File Name
When exporting documents from InDesign (especially to JPG, PNG, PDF, or other formats), it would be extremely useful to have an option to automatically use the Alternate Layout name as the exported file name.
Many designers use Alternate Layouts to manage different languages, formats, or versions within a single document. Currently, although each layout has a name, that information is not available during export, forcing users to rename files manually or rely on scripts.
Suggested option:
Add a checkbox in the Export dialog:
Use Alternate Layout name as file name
When exporting multiple Alternate Layouts, automatically generate one file per layout using its corresponding name.
This behavior should be available for all export formats, including JPG, PNG, PDF, and other supported outputs.This small improvement would save time, reduce manual errors, and streamline workflows for designers managing multilingual or multi-format projects.
Feature Request: Use Alternate Layout Name as Export File Name
When exporting documents from InDesign (especially to JPG, PNG, PDF, or other formats), it would be extremely useful to have an option to automatically use the Alternate Layout name as the exported file name.
Many designers use Alternate Layouts to manage different languages, formats, or versions within a single document. Currently, although each layout has a name, that information is not available during export, forcing users to rename files manually or rely on scripts.
Suggested option:
Add a checkbox in the Export dialog:
Use Alternate Layout name as file name…1 vote -
Urdu and Arabic users migrating from InPage to Adobe InDesign face a major usability issue with RTL cursor navigation. Currently, in RTL te
Urdu and Arabic users migrating from InPage to Adobe InDesign face a major usability issue with RTL cursor navigation.
Currently, in RTL text:
- Right Arrow moves cursor visually left
- Left Arrow moves cursor visually rightWhile technically correct under Unicode bidi logic, this behavior is unintuitive for many professional Urdu newspaper designers who are accustomed to InPage-style visual cursor navigation.
Request:
Please add an optional preference:"Visual RTL Cursor Navigation"
so users can choose:
1. Logical movement (current behavior)
2. Visual movement (InPage-style)This would greatly improve Urdu, Arabic, and Persian publishing workflows.
1 vote -
Restore color books
For some reason, I am not able to add one of the preset colourbooks to my files. I had help from an Adobe employee and finally he reached the conclusion individual colours needed to be added one by one. This is insane. I want to be able to access these colour books! Please restore so they can be added to the Swatches window!
1 vote -
Pages Menu
I need to see pages reliably. The InDesign Pages menu pop-out fails. It will reappear and work properly when re-opened. It is not showing in an unexpexted place that I've found. It occurs sometime while working but I haven't identified what brings it to fail. Attachment named InDesignMenuFail-2026-06-26.jpg shows the icon is activated, but not visible as it is in the InDesignMenuOK-2026-06-26.jpg image.
1 vote -
Object Style default option for the Rectangle Frame Tool (F) other than [None]
Hello and thank you for the opportunity to offer feedback! I have always used the Rectangle Frame Tool (F), primarily for images but also for text. I am trying to streamline options and defaults in InDesign as my work is now required to make all digital reports and other documents with accessibility requirements for screen readers. In trying to set the default of my frames to the [Basic Graphics Frame] object style with my updated changes or a custom object style, the object style immediately snaps back to [None] when I draw the frame. It doesn't matter how I draw it, when I select the object style, or what I've set to the default, it automatically reverts back to the [None] object style. The Rectangle Tool (M) does not have this same problem. Because frames are a more flexible option for shapes, text, etc., I would appreciate the same features applied for setting defaults with the Rectangle Frame Tool (F). Thank you!
Hello and thank you for the opportunity to offer feedback! I have always used the Rectangle Frame Tool (F), primarily for images but also for text. I am trying to streamline options and defaults in InDesign as my work is now required to make all digital reports and other documents with accessibility requirements for screen readers. In trying to set the default of my frames to the [Basic Graphics Frame] object style with my updated changes or a custom object style, the object style immediately snaps back to [None] when I draw the frame. It doesn't matter how I draw…
1 vote -
Add a X in the homescreen recent thumbnails, to remove projects from that overview
When working for multiple clients, it is very inconvenient having thumbnails popping up when opening a document. Please make it easy for the user to decide which projects are shown in the home screen.
1 vote -
Can we add a default locking range feature for the stored 'find/replace' XML files?
I hope to lock the 'search scope'. And it can be included in the. xml file.
There have been two serious accidents, fortunately discovered, but I was still scolded by my boss.
I have a regular expression that repeats when indexing. When I store it, the range is "article", but one day I didn't pay attention. After selecting it, the range changed to "document", and as a result, some content was replaced.
Very scary.The search range is now automatically determined, but sometimes accidents may occur if not careful.
There should be a locking function that locks the default without manual setting.
Especially for regular expression files stored by oneself, there should be a restriction function in the. xml file, which will not be changed manually after opening.I hope to lock the 'search scope'. And it can be included in the. xml file.
There have been two serious accidents, fortunately discovered, but I was still scolded by my boss.
I have a regular expression that repeats when indexing. When I store it, the range is "article", but one day I didn't pay attention. After selecting it, the range changed to "document", and as a result, some content was replaced.
Very scary.The search range is now automatically determined, but sometimes accidents may occur if not careful.
There should be a locking function that locks the default without…1 vote -
PDF-Export with MathML in <Formula>-Tag
Now that InDesign supports MathML, we need MathML content to be exported correctly in tagged PDFs.
Currently, MathML is exported as a <Figure> tag, but it should be exported as a <Formula> tag.
1 vote -
The quick color change for a text field should change the cointaining text color.
The quick color change for a text field should change the cointaining text color instead. The text box color control can rely on a button for selection of itself that then changes interaction of quick color controls. ****, put it in place of the OpenType button that is pretty useless to many (I for one ONLY click it accidentaly and it makes me crazy, but that's another ticket).
It's incredibly impressive how simple and intuitive this should be. The logic... This is extremely valuable to me because since text inside InDesign irreversably ceases to be editable once Ctrl+Shift+O (Outline Txt) - and I want to avoid that - that means it's impossible to quick edit text color for multiple boxes unless with styles etc, adding extra clicks to quick sketches of ideas. b
So that means InDesign expects selection of text inside of each and every text box, or editing of each style individually (Yes, each style, because it's impossible to have a style that only changes color, so you need to change color for texts that are the same size, font etc, at a time if you wanna do via styles). or Ctrl+I with individual clicking per text box. What's the logic in that?????
In order to change multiple text colors at once, it's imperative that either there's turning back from outline (like Illustrator), or simply make follow the first paragraph solution to where to put the useless change the color of this text field that usually doesn't have a standard spacing and defined size and will be invisible in 99% of cases...... It's it not incredibly evident in your data that many users - including me - accepted to submit for free for years how users want to change the color of the text itself more often than the color of the box that contains the text? that box doesn't even respond when the text doesn't fit. The box only gets in the way or becomes alignment. That means, usually like one or two sides of the box are used in layoutting. How often is the fill used???
I guess what I'm asking for is that my investment be put into something. Because I've been using InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator for a decade now and it has become quite obvious that some features are just kept out of one of the three in order to make another of the three have a what.. ~2% increase in usage? (I'm looking at you, Outline Stroke.) The way some useless aspects of InDesign have accumulated dust and spiderwebs over the years is truly impressive. And do not get me started on how these are badly optimized in Windows... What a waste of such amazing software and IP.
The quick color change for a text field should change the cointaining text color instead. The text box color control can rely on a button for selection of itself that then changes interaction of quick color controls. ****, put it in place of the OpenType button that is pretty useless to many (I for one ONLY click it accidentaly and it makes me crazy, but that's another ticket).
It's incredibly impressive how simple and intuitive this should be. The logic... This is extremely valuable to me because since text inside InDesign irreversably ceases to be editable once Ctrl+Shift+O (Outline Txt)…
1 vote -
Feature Request: Fill Frame With Placeholder Text
Illustrator features the ability to drag a text block and have it filled with placeholder text. Why doesn’t InDesign have that? In InDesign, we first have to create the text block and then choose Fill With Placeholder Text. Why not mirror what Illustrator does?
1 vote -
Add toggle checkbox in spell checker for "Case Sensitive" so you can turn it off when needed.
There are so many false positives when I use spell check, because it treats everything as a sentence. So all bullet points with uppercase style, every bit of text like websites, "mm" "cm" etc. get flagged for the first letter not being capitalized. I'd like a toggle check box named "Case Sensitive" so that I can uncheck it when working in documents that don't require a check for capitalization. Because not every text box in my document houses a grammatically correct sentence. This will speed up the process for the types of documents that I work on.
1 vote -
The change of swatch colour used for the QR code is ignored
When a QR code is created using a swatch colour, the colour does not update when the swatch colour is modified.
Step by step:
1) Make QR code using default magenta
2) Change magenta to any custom color
3) The QR code stays in magenta1 vote -
Place selected Illustrator artboard directly into InDesign from Illustrator
Currently, placing a specific artboard from a multi-artboard Illustrator file into InDesign requires switching to InDesign, going through File → Place, locating the file, enabling Show Import Options, and then selecting the correct artboard — a slow and repetitive process when working with files that contain many artboards.
A "Send to InDesign" button or action in Illustrator that places the currently active artboard directly into the active InDesign document as a linked object — without leaving Illustrator.
Similar to how The Overlord plugin by Battle Axe (AE plugin) handles asset transfer — would significantly speed up layout workflows.
1 vote -
Generate Text - Shorten to fix overset
Useful option within the Generate Text function would be to rewrite/shorten the selected text to fit the available space in order to remove overset. It'd be ideal if this could be handled like a find/replace whereby the user could step through the document moving from each overset frame.
1 vote -
Allow importing/copying gradients between InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
It should be possible to import gradients swatches from Photoshop and Illustrator into InDesign, and vice versa. Whether by finally being able to have a gradient saved in CC Libraries or being able to copy+paste an object with the gradient applied between programs.
I can't tell you how many times I've finally gotten a perfect gradient in Photoshop, only to then realize I need it in InDesign and my only options are to 1) painstakingly make it again in InDesign, 2) design InDesign things in Photoshop with the existing gradient, or 3) Export a gradient from Photoshop as a jpeg and import that into InDesign to use in a clipping mask. This should be as simple as clicking Export/Import Swatch or copying and pasting an object from one program to another.
It should be possible to import gradients swatches from Photoshop and Illustrator into InDesign, and vice versa. Whether by finally being able to have a gradient saved in CC Libraries or being able to copy+paste an object with the gradient applied between programs.
I can't tell you how many times I've finally gotten a perfect gradient in Photoshop, only to then realize I need it in InDesign and my only options are to 1) painstakingly make it again in InDesign, 2) design InDesign things in Photoshop with the existing gradient, or 3) Export a gradient from Photoshop as a jpeg…
1 vote
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