Adobe InDesign: Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
1. Description
2. Why is this valuable to you?
Thank you.
- or
No existing idea results
- ~ No ideas found ~
5283 results found
-
Make Table preview faster
Complex tables are REALLY low to preview in InDesign. I have a table 45 rows by 7 columns, and if I nudge it, it takes 5 seconds to preview. Then I nudge again... another 5 seconds. This SLOW table preview has been happening on all kinds of documents, for years. Please speed it up.
6 votes -
Tabbing Order when creating a new document
When tabbing on NEW DOCUMENT, the tab order goes from Width - Units - Height. It should go from Width - Height - Units. Illustrator does this correctly, Indesign has them in different (and distracting) order. Consistent between apps would be helpful!
6 votesThanks for making this feature suggestion. This is something that we had already started work on. Its currently in the Beta builds. I would highly encourage you all to try it out. You can follow the below link to join InDesign Pre-Release program, where the Beta builds are available for download.
Thanks
-
6 votes
-
Provide 'Indent to here' (~/^i) as a 'Text After' option in the Bullets and Numbering dialog
The ability to add 'Indent to here' as an option in 'Text After' bullets or numbering in the dialog box would be a time-saver so it's automatically inserted after them, rather than having to Grep it or do it to the necessary lines, individually.
6 votes -
Scheduled Export & Scheduled Export Queue
Sometimes with larger documents, Exporting can slow down Indesign, or can even render my computer useless at this time.
It would be a great option to be able to schedule the Export option for a time of my choice (at night when I know I wont be using my computer for example) as to not slow the computer down when I need to use it most. I envision the file still needing to be left open in Indesign for it to schedule and export correctly... But what I imagine is you would still choose all your options and everything as per normal, and only right at the end you select a 'Schedule Export', with a calendar like function, (Potentially limiting the user to schedule within 24 hours perhaps?).
I can see this helping someone like myself, where an export can render my Graphic Design abilities useless for an hour or more as my computer has limited capacity and tends to chug when a large export is in progress. A Schedule function would mean I could leave the exporting until say... Lunch Break and when I get back, the exports could be completed by then.A STEP FURTHER would be Scheduled Export Queue, with a dialog box panel of Queued Exports, and the ability to rearrange the order of documents, and even a button to 'Export Now', when you are suddenly needing that exported document straight away (would be completed after a 'in-progress' export has completed)
Hope this makes sense.
Thanks,
Tom
Sometimes with larger documents, Exporting can slow down Indesign, or can even render my computer useless at this time.
It would be a great option to be able to schedule the Export option for a time of my choice (at night when I know I wont be using my computer for example) as to not slow the computer down when I need to use it most. I envision the file still needing to be left open in Indesign for it to schedule and export correctly... But what I imagine is you would still choose all your options and everything as…
6 votes -
I'd like a feature like the Format Painter in MS Word.
I inherited a ton of files from someone who apparently did not like to set up styles. If an edit comes in, and, for example, I have to add a new subhead, I have to go back and look at all the formatting of the subheads to create a new one, then make all those same choices, since there's no style sheet created. Would be great to just click on one of the existing subheads, click on a format painter icon, and click on the new type for the new type to take on the format of the existing type. I'm not a power INDD user, and I understand the value of styles, but sometimes a Format Painter option would be super useful.
I inherited a ton of files from someone who apparently did not like to set up styles. If an edit comes in, and, for example, I have to add a new subhead, I have to go back and look at all the formatting of the subheads to create a new one, then make all those same choices, since there's no style sheet created. Would be great to just click on one of the existing subheads, click on a format painter icon, and click on the new type for the new type to take on the format of the existing type.…
6 votes -
Resize Document including Content
I know Liquid Layout, but I would love to have something simpler:
If I resize a document, I would like to have the option to have the content be resized by the same percentages.We often have to change the measurement of documents to accommodate different printing requirement. What we do now, is export a pdf and import it to a new document with a script. PDF ist resized proportionally on placement.
6 votes -
Variables in formatting
Instead of using absolute values in formatting dialogues, let us define and use variables.
I often work in long documents and have dozens of styles. Using the leading for my body copy as a reference many other formatting options will use the same value or fractions or multiples of that value. Body copy might use 14 point leading with 7 points of space between paragraphs. Subheads might have an extra 7 points above. Main heads might use 21 point or 28 point leading. Bullets might use 14 points for the indent. If I need to change my leading I need to change many of those options, too.
Experimenting with different point size/leading options is complicated, discouraging tweaking and fine-tuning.
But if I could set a variable called, say “Pb” to 14 points then I could use that for leading, .5Pb for paragraph spacing, etc. Global changes to leading by changing the variable would propagate to all the other formatting options. What a time saver.
Instead of using absolute values in formatting dialogues, let us define and use variables.
I often work in long documents and have dozens of styles. Using the leading for my body copy as a reference many other formatting options will use the same value or fractions or multiples of that value. Body copy might use 14 point leading with 7 points of space between paragraphs. Subheads might have an extra 7 points above. Main heads might use 21 point or 28 point leading. Bullets might use 14 points for the indent. If I need to change my leading I need…
6 votes -
Faster way of following hyperlinks
Make it so Ctrl-clicking a hyperlink (or cross-reference) takes you to the destination instead of having to clumsily open a dialog box, find the link, and push the corresponding button. (Didn't Pagemaker do this long ago?)
6 votes -
Graphic and text in same cell(s) or table
I can't see how to do it presently but it would be great to be able to put both a graphic and text placed over it in the same cell, or a number of cells or the entire table. RIght now it appears to be an either/or choice. I have anchored an image to a table so that it overprints the cell or table but that is rather clunky.
6 votes -
Integrate a Content :before and :after to Styles as it is possible in CSS
In the character and paragraph styles definition: Give us the opportunity of automatically add content before and after the text (give the opportunity to style this additionally with a character style), to which the style is applied. Currently a conent:before is only possible with using a paragraph style a trick (see image, sorry for the German ...).
Working with XML data or other equivalent text sources you can add media related text, that doesn't alter the content. This is quite important, if the content should be exported after production.
6 votes -
freeze hyphenation, like XPress earlier
10 Years ago. with Xpress 4.0, there was the option to freeze hyphenation.
After you send a Version to the client, you can freeze the hyphenation and after that, only manually hyphenation and line breaks are common.
Reason: Client wants other hyphenations or line breaks, after he becomes the next version, there are more new hyphenations followed by the next correction. And finaly, you have broken every line manually.6 votes -
Improving Effects and Gradients for Objects
1) Making Effects easier to copy/paste blending options like in Photoshop layers between several objects (similar to pasting blending to several objects)
2) Also, improving precision and granularity of the rather smallish and sensitive gradient feather bar using mouse. When re-applying a gradient, it is difficult to slide existing gradient points without adversely affecting applied gradient to object, sometimes its easier to just restart a new one.
6 votes -
Allow Custom Cell Padding on Imported Spreadsheets
When importing excel or spreadsheets (.xls), Indesign CC automatically sets the cell padding on top/bottom as 0.0556" (or equivalent). There is currently no way to set default cell padding when Indesign is open without any publications/files open, nor is there an option when importing a document/spreadsheet.
Either allow for imported cell padding to be listed within the 'Show More Options" within the import screen, or allow for a global default cell padding to be entered into Indesign.
When publishing files that pull or link cell data from excel, each time the excel file is updated, it is a VERY manual process to individually update the cell padding in each table within a file.
For example, one catalog I produce takes ~15-20 minutes of time just to update the cell padding to 0"/0"/0"/0" from the default 0.0556"/0.0556"/0"/0".
When certain revisions are made frequently, it can mean several hours per catalog of manual switching that could be done with a single batch/cell style default cell padding.
When importing excel or spreadsheets (.xls), Indesign CC automatically sets the cell padding on top/bottom as 0.0556" (or equivalent). There is currently no way to set default cell padding when Indesign is open without any publications/files open, nor is there an option when importing a document/spreadsheet.
Either allow for imported cell padding to be listed within the 'Show More Options" within the import screen, or allow for a global default cell padding to be entered into Indesign.
When publishing files that pull or link cell data from excel, each time the excel file is updated, it is a VERY manual…
6 votes -
A cross paragraph word count
A system by which one could simply and easily find out the total number of words in the document.
6 votes -
Print page
Please consider changing the default setting on the Print Page setting from "Print All" to "Range". No one wants to Print All the pages every time you go to print pages. I cannot tell you how many times i hit print, thinking i am printing one page in the document and then realize i did not toggle "Range" and wind up running to the printer to cancel a file that is going to waste 25 sheets of paper. Please, please please change this default setting. Since i found this feature request site, I will now continue to send this request until its fixed. thank you for your consideration.
Please consider changing the default setting on the Print Page setting from "Print All" to "Range". No one wants to Print All the pages every time you go to print pages. I cannot tell you how many times i hit print, thinking i am printing one page in the document and then realize i did not toggle "Range" and wind up running to the printer to cancel a file that is going to waste 25 sheets of paper. Please, please please change this default setting. Since i found this feature request site, I will now continue to send this request…
6 votes -
REMOVE those endless tool tips - hate them.
OH MY GOD - adobe what are you thinking??????? the software just gets more and more crowded with useless stuff for juvenile users. professionals are pulling out their hair with all the clutter. and those endless, useless tool tips. every time i paste something i'm getting a tool tip - are you people insane????????????? what happened to professionalism. you have a captive audience and now this feels like harassment. EACH AND EVERY - EVERY - EVERY - TIME i do anything i'm getting a tool tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! make an option to TURN THESE OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 votes -
Integrate Optical Margin Alignment into Paragraph tab
Currently, the Story tab is a standalone tab, offering only one checkbox: the Optical Margin Alignment option. This functionality, in my opinion, is closely related to paragraph adjustments, such as paragraph alignment within text boxes. Given its nature, it seems more intuitive and efficient to integrate Optical Margin Alignment within the Paragraph tab or the main text formatting panel.
Adding the Story tab to my workspace alongside essential tabs like Character, Paragraph, and various styles consumes more horizontal screen space than necessary. Once positioned next to other panels, the tab's label, "Story," becomes difficult to read due to the limited space.
By integrating Optical Margin Alignment into a more appropriate existing tab, users could enjoy a streamlined and space-efficient workspace.
Currently, the Story tab is a standalone tab, offering only one checkbox: the Optical Margin Alignment option. This functionality, in my opinion, is closely related to paragraph adjustments, such as paragraph alignment within text boxes. Given its nature, it seems more intuitive and efficient to integrate Optical Margin Alignment within the Paragraph tab or the main text formatting panel.
Adding the Story tab to my workspace alongside essential tabs like Character, Paragraph, and various styles consumes more horizontal screen space than necessary. Once positioned next to other panels, the tab's label, "Story," becomes difficult to read due to the limited…
5 votes -
Direct Editing of Photoshop Layers in InDesign
Description:
Currently, users must switch back to Photoshop to edit layer details, masks, or effects before re-importing images into InDesign. This process can be time-consuming and interrupts the creative flow. It would be highly efficient to enable direct editing of Photoshop layers—such as brush adjustments, opacity, blend modes, and layer masks—within InDesign itself, without needing to reopen Photoshop.Benefits for Users:
Streamlines the workflow by reducing the need to switch between Photoshop and InDesign
Speeds up the design process, as minor adjustments could be made directly in InDesign
Allows more flexibility in applying last-minute edits and achieving the desired look without leaving InDesign
Enables consistent creative control across Adobe programs, especially beneficial for users who frequently work with layered images
Feature Suggestion:
Implement tools that allow InDesign to recognize and edit the individual layers of linked Photoshop files. Key features could include basic layer controls (visibility, opacity, blending modes) and essential tools like brushes, erasers, and layer masking, so users can make non-destructive edits withoutDescription:
Currently, users must switch back to Photoshop to edit layer details, masks, or effects before re-importing images into InDesign. This process can be time-consuming and interrupts the creative flow. It would be highly efficient to enable direct editing of Photoshop layers—such as brush adjustments, opacity, blend modes, and layer masks—within InDesign itself, without needing to reopen Photoshop.Benefits for Users:
Streamlines the workflow by reducing the need to switch between Photoshop and InDesign
Speeds up the design process, as minor adjustments could be made directly in InDesign
Allows more flexibility in applying last-minute edits and achieving the desired look…5 votes -
InDesign Review Panel should NOT switch the filter to 'Resolved' when editing text with older resolved comments
I am often working on documents with multiple review sessions. The problem that occurs since the latest updates of InDesign is that as soon as I put the cursor in a piece of text which previously had a comment attached to it which is resolved, all resolved comments pop up in the comments panel and I cannot see the current comments: all comments are immediately filtered to 'resolved'. Of course I can switch off the filter for resolved comments again, but it switches back again to 'resolved comments' as soon as I start working on the text. This is driving me nuts, because it is not only annoying, it becomes very difficult to work on the unresolved comments and takes up a lot of time. As a work around I now have to open the online document with the current unresolved comments to track down what actually still needs to be resolved. Apparently this is 'as designed', but this is driving designers crazy. Please help!
More details and screen recordings can be found in this discussion on the Adobe Community: https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-review-panel-automatically-filters-to-resolved-comments-when-editing-text/td-p/14619901I am often working on documents with multiple review sessions. The problem that occurs since the latest updates of InDesign is that as soon as I put the cursor in a piece of text which previously had a comment attached to it which is resolved, all resolved comments pop up in the comments panel and I cannot see the current comments: all comments are immediately filtered to 'resolved'. Of course I can switch off the filter for resolved comments again, but it switches back again to 'resolved comments' as soon as I start working on the text. This is driving…
5 votes
- Don't see your idea?