To fully learn all the features of Adobe InDesign readers are encouraged to take two days of Adobe InDesign Training. Our free InDesign Training Blog is intended to discuss specific features of the program.

The first layout decision you will always make when starting an InDesign project is what will be the final trim size of the printed piece. If you create a new document like a 4×7 inch portrait postcard, add text and graphics, then subsequently change that print specification to 5×8 inches landscape you will need to manually reposition text and images. InDesign has a feature called alyout adjustment that facilitates the recomposition. This free Adobe InDesign training blog details best-practice InDesign layout techniques to maximize the effectiveness of the layout adjustment feature.

To follow along with the free InDesign Training tutorial you can download a sample InDesign layout here.

I have opened my 5×7 inch portrait layout in InDesign.

To use the alyout adjustment feature select the layout menu > layout adjustment command

The layout adjustment dialog appears

Generally you won’t need to change anything other than click the OK button to accept the default settings. Here is an explanation of each setting from the Adobe InDesign help system

Now click the OK button to close the layout adjustment dialog. To see the effect of enabling layout adjustment we’ll change the layout to 6×8 inches landscape. Select the file menu > document setup command.

In the document setup dialog, change the layout to landscape and set the width to 8 inches and the height to 5 inches, then click the OK button.

Notice that because we enabled the Layout Adjustment feature before changing the document setup, InDesign moved and scaled the text and graphics to fit the new layout specification.

Readers are enourage to add comments or post requests for InDesign Training about specific features. Visit again soon! Our next free InDesign Training Blog will cover mail merge.