Tutorial #2: Simple Formatting

Skill Level: Intermediate

This tutorial is all about getting a glimpse of the power of styles. The copy you will be adding are the instructions for creating the styles, followed by instructions on how to apply them fast!

As mentioned, the copy, beginning under the rule below right, is also the instructions. Start selecting with Formatting and select the whole way down to perfectly. If you cannot handle a gradient yet, use some flat color.

Formatting a document

Copy the type out of there — starting with the "Formatting a Document" Headline above. From here on down, simply follow the instructions as you make this document.

Open new document

Set page size at 6" 10", tall, margins at .5", single column

Set up Paragraph Styles:

Here you need to set up your Paragraph Styles palette. Start by selecting all the styles and deleting them (by using the Option menu off the palette). Then make a new style and call it 2-body. We've talked about the reasons for numbering the styles. Each style is just a listing of specs. You will make five styles in all.

2-Body Georgia, 10/auto, left justified, 1st line indent .4", tracking 0, Metrics kerning, based on No Style, next style same, 2 points before paragraph (type p2 in the field), black, shortcut Command/Control-Num 2

3-Hanging Select 2-body in palette and choose new style (making it based on 2-body), flush left, small caps, leading 11, horizontal scale 90%, left indent .4", 1st line -.25", tab left 1”, 7 points before paragraph, shortcut Command/Ctrl-Num 3

5-Headline Select [basic paragraph] and make new style, Trebuchet Bold, 24/24, flush left , Metrics kerning, know indents, based on no style, next style 2-Body, 4 points before paragraph, 1 point after, Color: left to right gradient from black to 30% gray, shortcut Command/Ctrl-Num 5

6-Subhead Based on 5-Headline, 16/17, all caps, left indent .4", rule below paragraph, 5 point, 50%-7% gradient, offset 2 points, width of column, color: black, shortcut Command/Ctrl-Num 6

7-Sub2 Based on 6-Subhead, 12/12, no rules; Command/Ctrl-Num 7

Set up Character Styles:

Now you need to set up a character style to make the style names bold. So, open the Character styles palette and choose New Style in the Options menu. Make the name of the style 1-Bold:

1-Bold: Style, Bold — leave all the other fields blank. All we are changing is the weight of the font. If the fields are blank, nothing is changed when you apply the style.. Shortcut: Alt/Option-Num 1

Format the type

Place your insertion point by click-dragging a text frame to fit the margins. Paste in the copied text. Select All and press Ctrl/Command-Num2 to format everything in body copy. Then place your insertion point in the first paragraph and hold done the Ctrl/Command key. Then type the following string of characters — slowly and methodically while continuing to hold down the Ctrl/Command key.

5-down arrow--2-down arrow-6-down arrow-2-down arrow-6-down arrow-2-down arrow-3-down arrow-3-down arrow-3-down arrow-3-down arrow-3-down arrow-6-down arrow-2-down arrow-3-down arrow-6-down arrow-2-down arrow-7-down arrow-2-down arrow-6

Select the Style names and format them with the character style. Use a Nested Style in CS2 or 3.
Now everything is formatted nicely — and should fit perfectly.

The result should look an awful lot like the illustration at the top of the page.
The only difference is that I used a colored gradient.