InDesign Tip: Keyboard Shortcuts for Positioning Text
Use these keyboard shortcuts to quickly change kerning, tracking, leading and word spacing
These InDesign keyboard shortcuts for positioning text are not only fast, but they’re fun to do, too—so try ’em out!
1. Leading: To increase leading, select the text then press Option+Down arrow; to decrease leading, use Option+Up arrow.

2. Tracking: To increase tracking, select the text then press Option+Right arrow; press Option+Left arrow to decrease it.
![]()
3. Kerning: To increase tracking, place your cursor between two characters then press Option+Right Arrow; press Option+Left Arrow to decrease it.

4. Word Spacing: To change spacing between words (but not the characters within those words), press Command+Option+\ to increase word spacing; press Command+Option+Delete to decrease it.

This article was last modified on February 16, 2022
This article was first published on February 16, 2022
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
Recommended for you
How to Set Default Shapes, Lines, and Text Box Styles in PowerPoint
One way to make working in PowerPoint smoother is to set default shapes, lines,...
Top Tips from The InDesign + Long Documents Summit 2024
Our Editor in Chief lists his favorite tips from The InDesign + Long Documents S...
Photoshop Downloadable: Top Tips Ebook
A compendium of CreativePro tips, tricks, and techniques for Adobe Photoshop
