Using Type > Aligning paragraphs and adding paragraph rules > Aligning paragraphs

 

Aligning paragraphs

To precisely control how paragraphs align and to fine-tune the length of lines of justified text, you use the Text Character inspector. You can align text by a ragged width, spreading it over a column. Ragged width specifies the minimum distance nonjustified text spreads over a column and is expressed as a percentage of the column's width. You can also align text with a flush zone that specifies the justification of the last line of a paragraph.

To adjust a text column's ragged width:

1

Use the Text tool to select text or a text block.

2

Choose Window > Inspectors > Text, and click the Character button to display the Text Character inspector.

3

Click the Ellipsis (...) button to display the Edit Alignment dialog box.

4

In the Edit Alignment dialog box, enter a percentage for Ragged Width to justify text, from 0 for no justification to 100 for the full column width. For example, a value of 95 expands a line to fill 95% of the column width.

5

Enter a percentage in the Flush Zone text box to specify the point at which the last line in a paragraph justifies. For example, if you enter 50%, the last line justifies only if it is at least 50% as long as the column's width.

6

Click OK.