Applying Paragraph Formatting

In Canvas X Draw, you can control paragraph attributes, such as justification and leading. Paragraph attributes affect entire paragraphs, even if you select a single character, or place the insertion point anywhere in the paragraph. If you select text in multiple paragraphs, all the paragraphs will be affected.

Paragraph-level formatting includes leading and paragraph spacing, indents, tabs, alignment (justification), automatic letter and word spacing, and widow and orphan controls.

Setting Line and Paragraph Spacing

Using the Text menu, Type palette, or Properties bar, adjust the spacing, or leading, between lines of text.

To Set Leading Using Menu Commands:

Choose Text | Leading to set Single, 11/2, or Double Space leading. You can also choose the Tighten or Loosen commands to fine-tune the current leading in 0.5-point increments. You can tighten and loosen the leading repeatedly, but the line spacing cannot be less than zero.

The text settings in the Properties bar provides the same options as the Leading submenu.

To Set Leading in the Type Palette:

Click the Paragraph tab of the Type palette. After configuring the settings, click Apply to implement them.

Line spacing

Percentage: Set the leading using a percentage of the line size. Enter an amount in the At box.

Points: Set the leading in points. Enter an amount in the At box. Although each font’s standard leading might be different, normal leading is generally between 110% and 125% of the largest type size on the line; therefore, for 10-point type, normal leading is approximately 12 points.

Before paragraph

To insert space before the first line of a paragraph, specify the number of points in the Before paragraph box. This option does not apply to the first paragraph in a column.

After paragraph

To insert space after the last line of a paragraph, specify the number of points in the After paragraph box. Canvas X Draw inserts space after every paragraph, including the last paragraph in a column.

To Control Line Breaks:

“Soft” returns are forced line breaks which do not create new paragraphs.

  1. Place the insertion point where you want the soft return.
  2. Press Shift+Enter. Text to the right of the soft return moves to the next line.
    • To view soft return symbols: Choose Layout | Display | Show Text Invisibles.
    • To hide soft return symbols: Choose Layout | Display | Hide Text Invisibles.

See Also: