How to Adjust the Margins of Columns in InDesign

Adding columns can be a useful tool for laying out and designing documents in InDesign. They facilitate reading by automatically condensing the line-length. When columns are incorporated into a document InDesign adds column guides to assist the designer in knowing when a column will break. Occasionally, the designer needs to adjust the design layout by expanding one column and condensing another or changing the spacing between columns. You can change the margin for columns by adjusting the gutter size and location.

Instructions

Adjust Page Column

1. Click on the "View" menu and hover over "Screen Mode." Select "Normal."

2. Click on the "Window" menu and select "Pages." Then click on the page or master page that contains the margins you want to adjust.

3. Click on the "Layout" menu and select "Margins & Columns."

4. Adjust the spacing in the "Gutter" text box then click "OK."

5. Click on the "View" menu and hover over "Grids & Guides." Deselect "Lock Column Guides."

6. Select the "Selection Tool."

7. Click and drag the column guide, the pink, double vertical lines by default, to the left or right to expand or shorten the columns.

Adjust Text Frame Column

1. Right-click on the text frame that contains the columns and select "Text Frame Options."

2. Adjust the spacing in the "Gutter" text box then click "OK."

3. Adjust the "Width" of the text frame to change the size of the columns. Text frame columns will adjust to the same size.

References

• Adobe InDesign CS5: Change Document Setup, Margins, and Columns