InDesign

How to use Adobe InDesign 2021

B.A.W. Kemp

Feb 1, 2024 — 2 min read

Adobe InDesign is a powerful desktop publishing (DTP) software that is widely used for creating professional-looking documents, magazines, and brochures. InDesign has a wide range of features that make it a versatile tool for creating a variety of print and digital publications. If you’re new to InDesign, this guide will help you get started with the basics of the software.

Getting Started with InDesign

The first thing you need to do is open InDesign and create a new document. To do this, go to File > New. In the New Document window, you can specify the settings for your document, such as the page size, margins, and number of pages.

Creating a Layout

Once you have created a new document, you can start to create your layout. To do this, you will use the various tools in the toolbox, such as the Text tool, the Frame tool, and the Selection tool.

The Text tool allows you to create and edit text boxes.
The Frame tool allows you to create frames for images and other objects.
The Selection tool allows you to select objects on the page.

You can also use the rulers and guides to help you align your objects.

Adding Text

To add text to your document, you can either type it directly into a text box or paste it from another application. You can also use the Character panel and Paragraph panel to format your text.

Adding Images

To add an image to your document, you can use the Place Gun tool. With the Place Gun tool selected, click on the page where you want to place the image. Then, select the image file you want to place.

Once the image is placed, you can resize it and crop it using the handles on the image. You can also use the Image Color and Opacity options to adjust the appearance of the image.

Creating Tables

To create a table, go to Table > Insert Table. In the Insert Table dialog box, you can specify the number of rows and columns in your table. You can then add text and images to your table.

Adding Page Numbers

To add page numbers to your document, go to Layout > Page Number. In the Page Number dialog box, you can specify the format and position of your page numbers.

Saving and Exporting Your Document

Once you are finished with your document, you can save it as an InDesign file (.indd). You can also export your document to a variety of other formats, such as PDF, JPEG, and EPUB.

Additional Tips

Use guides and grids to help you align your objects.
Use styles to apply consistent formatting to your text.
Use color to make your documents more visually appealing.
Use pre-made templates to save time and effort.

I hope this guide has helped you get started with Adobe InDesign 2021. There are many other features that you can explore, so be sure to experiment and find what works best for you.