How to Create Custom Glyph or Special Character Sets Using Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing software that allows you to use text characters that have a special form such as the accent above the letter E. You find yourself using a set of special characters often. Creating a custom glyph set will make your special characters more easily accessible.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe InDesign 2
• Windows XP

How to Customize a Glyph Set

1. 

   Select GLYPHS from the Type menu to open the Glyphs palette.

2. 

   Click the Glyphs palette menu arrow (upper-right corner). Select the NEW GLYPH SET menu option.

3. 

   Type the name of the new glyph set in the Name field. Click OK to close the New Glyph Set window.

4. 

   Scroll through the Glyphs palette to locate a special character. Point and click to highlight the special character.

5. 

   Click the Glyphs palette menu arrow (upper-right corner). Highlight the ADD TO GLYPH SET option, then click the new glyph set name. This action will add the special character you selected to the new glyph set you created in step 3. Repeat step 5 to continue adding special characters to the new glyph set.

6. 

   Click the drop-down arrow in the Show field. Select the name of the new glyph set you created in step 3. This action will display all the special characters you selected.

Tips & Warnings

• Custom glyph sets are accessible from any Adobe InDesign document.
• The Glyphs palette menu also provides options to edit a custom glyph set by removing special characters or deleting the entire glyph set.