Getting Started With InDesign CC

Explore the InDesign interface with a concise tour of the application bar, control bar, document tabs, rulers, toolbox, and panels, plus quick tricks to open documents.

Master quick navigation in InDesign CC by using the zoom tool, the spacebar pan, and keyboard shortcuts like command/ctrl+spacebar and plus/minus, plus the pages panel.

Master InDesign display performance by choosing between fast, typical, and high quality modes to balance image loading, layout focus, and navigation in catalog work.

Customize the InDesign interface by arranging, grouping, and docking panels such as color, stroke, swatches, and text tools. Save and switch between personalized workspaces for different tasks.

Explore how to create a brand new InDesign document, set the number of pages, enable facing pages, choose paper size and margins, and understand global versus document-specific preferences for units.

Explore setting up multiple columns in InDesign CC using the margins and columns dialog, adjusting column count and gutter with live preview, and reverting to a single column.

Set safety margins inside trim size and apply bleed guides to extend background color beyond page edge; keep critical data at least an eighth of an inch from the edge.

Empower layout design in InDesign by using non-printing horizontal and vertical guides, set margins and bleeds, drag from rulers to exact positions, and toggle visibility or delete guides as needed.

Use InDesign's preview mode to hide guides, margins, bleed, and pasteboard content, previewing the final print. Toggle normal and preview with the view menu or press W.

Create text frames in InDesign CC using the type tool or rectangle tools, then import text with place, and learn about overflow indicators.

Import text into InDesign CC and adjust text frames with resize handles, precise x and y placement, and width and height, using the black arrow and direct selection tools.

Explore text frame options in InDesign by adjusting columns, gutter, and inset spacing on the general tab, turn on preview, link all sides, set vertical alignment, and control text wrap.

Connect multiple text frames to let text flow from one frame to another, across pages, using the red icon and show text threads to visualize threading.

Learn basic text formatting in InDesign CC, including locating the glyphs panel for special characters and applying character and paragraph options like font, size, leading, color, alignment, and indents.

Master advanced text formatting in InDesign CC by using the character and paragraph panels to adjust font, size, and alignment, then fine-tune letting, kerning, and tracking with keyboard shortcuts.

Create and manipulate shapes in InDesign CC, using rectangle, ellipse, and polygon tools, adjust fills and strokes with swatches and CMYK color palettes, import graphics, and save colors for reuse.

Apply strokes to shapes by selecting the object, choosing a stroke color from swatches or the control bar, and adjusting stroke weight and style, including caps, joints, and alignment.

Select and move shapes, text frames, and graphics using the control bar, x/y, width/height, rotation, and skew. Use smart guides to align objects and manage stacking order with arrange options.

Insert graphics into InDesign CC using graphic frames or the frame tools; place images, resize or move content with the black and white arrow tools, and scale both together.

Explore how to fit graphics in InDesign frames using fit frame to content and fit content to frame, with proportional options to prevent distortion, demonstrated on a catalog layout.

Save and duplicate InDesign files, export layouts to JPEG or PTF, choose page ranges or spreads, adjust image quality and color space, and share fonts and graphics.

Export InDesign layouts as PDFs using print, smallest font size, or interactive presets, and adjust pages, spreads, thumbnails, tagging, layers, and compression for secure, ready-to-share documents.

Master the InDesign CC workspace, set up multi-column documents with margins and bleed, import and thread text, integrate shapes and graphics, and export or convert layouts.