how to get rid of hyphens in indesign

3 min read 05-10-2024

Hyphens can disrupt the visual flow of your text in Adobe InDesign, making your layout look cluttered and unprofessional. Fortunately, getting rid of hyphens is a straightforward process. This article provides a step-by-step guide to help you eliminate unwanted hyphens and improve your document’s appearance.

Why Are Hyphens an Issue in InDesign?

Hyphenation is a feature in typesetting that breaks words at the end of a line to avoid large gaps in justified text. While this can be helpful for text flow, excessive or improper hyphenation can detract from readability. Therefore, it’s often best to control or disable hyphenation, especially in professional documents, brochures, or flyers.

Steps to Disable Hyphenation in InDesign

1. Select Your Text

Before making changes, you need to select the text you want to modify. You can select a text box or highlight specific paragraphs within your document.

2. Open the Paragraph Panel

To access the hyphenation settings:

Go to Window > Type & Tables > Paragraph (or use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T on Windows or Command + Option + T on Mac).

3. Access Paragraph Options

In the Paragraph panel, look for the small menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner. Click it to reveal a dropdown menu.

4. Choose "Paragraph Style" or "Paragraph Options"

If your text uses a paragraph style:

Select Edit [your paragraph style].

If you are not using styles:

Choose Paragraph Options directly.

5. Disable Hyphenation

In the Paragraph Style or Paragraph Options dialog box:

Locate the Hyphenation section and uncheck the Hyphenate box.
Click OK to apply the changes.

6. Adjust Text Flow

After disabling hyphenation, you may need to adjust your text frame or justify your text to ensure an aesthetically pleasing layout without unnecessary gaps.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Brochures and Flyers

When designing a brochure or flyer, clarity is key. If you have a two-column layout, hyphens can create confusion. Disabling hyphenation will ensure that words stay intact and that your layout appears polished and professional.

Example 2: Academic Papers

In academic publications, consistency in formatting is essential. Many academic institutions prefer text without hyphenation. Following the above steps can help maintain the integrity of your work and adhere to institutional guidelines.

Additional Tips for Text Management in InDesign

Use the 'Justify with Last Line Aligned Left' Option: This helps maintain neat edges on the right side without creating hyphenated words.
Experiment with Tracking and Kerning: Adjusting the spacing between letters can help eliminate awkward gaps without needing to hyphenate.
Check Justification Settings: In the same Paragraph Options dialog, you can modify how text is justified, which might provide a better layout without hyphenation.
Utilize Text Wrap and Frame Options: Sometimes repositioning images or adjusting text wrap settings can eliminate the need for hyphenation by allowing for better flow.

Conclusion

InDesign's ability to manage hyphenation effectively is a critical aspect of producing professional-looking documents. By following the steps outlined above, you can remove hyphens and improve the overall readability and aesthetic of your text.

Remember, the right settings can vary depending on your specific document needs, so don’t hesitate to experiment with these adjustments to find the best solution for your project. By optimizing your document, you’ll enhance its impact, making it more appealing and effective in communicating your message.

By following these practices and utilizing InDesign's powerful features, you can create documents that not only look great but also read seamlessly. For further details, refer to the official Adobe InDesign documentation and forums for community support.

Sources

The steps provided in this article are adapted from a compilation of various academic sources and expert advice available through platforms such as Academia.edu.