How to Create Styles from Existing Text Quickly in InDesign
Learn how to add styles to InDesign text that has already been formatted locally, using clever find/change operations or through the use of scripts.

In this InDesign video, Mike Rankin shows how to fix a file that has locally-formatted text only. That is to say, it doesn’t use any character or paragraph styles. From running a series of find/change operations, to free scripts, to more robust paid script options, Mike gives you options for adding styles to your text after you’ve already designed your piece.
Link to scripts:
Auto-CreatePCStyles: https://www.ericagamet.com/create-indesign-text-styles-automatically/
PerfectPrepText: https://creativepro.com/perfectpreptext-a-smart-way-to-style-local-formatting/
Power Styles: https://dtptools.com/product.asp?id=psid
Auto Character Styles: https://www.id-extras.com/products/auto-character-styles/
This video is an excerpt from Mike’s “Production Disasters and How to Fix (or Prevent) Them” session at CreativePro Week 2023! To find out how to attend this incredible, information-packed week, check out the CreativePro Week site.
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This article was last modified on August 29, 2025
This article was first published on February 12, 2024