How to Underline in Adobe InDesign: Master the Art of Emphasizing Text

Underlining text in Adobe InDesign is a fundamental skill that can enhance the readability and visual appeal of your documents. Whether you’re creating brochures, presentations, or reports, underlining can help draw attention to important information or create a visually pleasing effect. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the various methods of underlining in InDesign, ensuring that your text stands out with precision and style.

Method 1: Using the Character Panel

The Character Panel offers a straightforward way to underline text.

1. Select the text you want to underline: Highlight the desired text using the Type Tool (T).
2. Open the Character Panel: Go to Window > Type & Tables > Character.
3. Enable Underline: Check the “Underline” checkbox in the Character Panel.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts provide a quick and efficient way to underline text.

• Windows: Ctrl + U
• Mac: Command + U

Method 3: Using the Underline Tool

For precise control over the appearance of your underlining, use the Underline Tool.

1. Select the Text Tool (T): Click on the Type Tool icon in the Toolbar.
2. Activate the Underline Tool: Hold down the Shift key and click on the Underline button in the Toolbar.
3. Drag and Apply: Drag the Underline Tool over the desired text to apply the underlining.

Method 4: Using the Paragraph Panel

The Paragraph Panel allows you to apply underlining to an entire paragraph.

1. Select the Paragraph: Click on the paragraph you want to underline.
2. Open the Paragraph Panel: Go to Window > Type & Tables > Paragraph.
3. Enable Underline: Check the “Underline” checkbox in the Paragraph Panel.

Method 5: Using Styles

Styles offer a convenient way to apply consistent underlining to multiple text selections.

1. Create a New Style: Go to Window > Styles > New Style.
2. Define Underline Settings: In the New Style dialog box, navigate to the “Basic Character Formats” section and check the “Underline” checkbox.
3. Apply the Style: Select the text you want to underline and apply the created style from the Styles Panel (Window > Styles).

Method 6: Using GREP Styles

GREP (General Regular Expression Print) Styles provide advanced control over underlining based on specific text criteria.

1. Create a New GREP Style: Go to Window > Styles > New GREP Style.
2. Define Underline Settings: In the New GREP Style dialog box, enter the desired text criteria in the “Find” field and check the “Underline” checkbox in the “Format” section.
3. Apply the GREP Style: Select the text you want to underline and apply the created GREP Style from the Styles Panel.

Customizing Underline Appearance

InDesign allows you to customize the appearance of your underlining to match your design aesthetic.

• Underline Thickness: Adjust the thickness of the underline using the “Underline Thickness” slider in the Character Panel.
• Underline Offset: Control the distance between the underline and the text using the “Underline Offset” slider in the Character Panel.
• Underline Color: Change the color of the underline using the “Underline Color” swatch in the Character Panel.

Wrap-Up: Unleashing the Power of Underlining

Underlining in Adobe InDesign is a versatile tool that can transform your text, making it more engaging and visually appealing. By mastering the various methods and customization options outlined in this guide, you can elevate your designs and create documents that leave a lasting impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I underline only a portion of the text?

Yes, you can use the Underline Tool to drag and apply underlining to specific sections of text.

2. How do I remove underlining from text?

Uncheck the “Underline” checkbox in the Character Panel or Paragraph Panel to remove underlining from the selected text.

3. Can I create a dotted or dashed underline?

Yes, you can use GREP Styles to create dotted or dashed underlines by defining the desired pattern in the “Find” field.