Adobe InDesign is a versatile and widely used design software that allows users to create everything from print brochures and books to interactive digital publications. One fundamental aspect of using InDesign effectively is setting the correct units of measurement. Depending on the type of project, you may need to work in metric units, such as millimeters (mm) or centimeters (cm). If you’re collaborating internationally, metric units are often preferred for consistency. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to change to metric units in InDesign, ensuring your document is set up exactly as you need.
Why Use Metric Units?
Changing your units to metric can be particularly useful if you’re working with:
- International Clients: Metric units are the standard measurement system in most countries outside of the United States. Switching to metric ensures that your documents are universally understandable.
- Precise Measurements: Metric units like millimeters or centimeters offer a high level of precision, which can be important for certain types of print projects, such as packaging, posters, or architectural layouts.
- Printing Requirements: Many professional printers require specifications in metric units for accuracy when preparing documents for print.
How to Change to Metric Units in InDesign
InDesign allows you to change the units of measurement for your document in multiple ways, depending on whether you want to apply the change globally for all new documents or only for the current one. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you change to metric units effectively.
Method 1: Change Units Through Preferences
One of the most efficient ways to change units in InDesign is by adjusting your preferences. This method allows you to change the default unit settings for all future documents you create.
- Open Preferences:
- On Windows, navigate to Edit > Preferences > Units & Increments.
- On a Mac, go to InDesign > Preferences > Units & Increments.
- Set Units & Increments:
- In the Preferences dialog box, you will see a section labeled Units & Increments.
- Here, you will find dropdown menus for Horizontal and Vertical units.
- Click on the dropdown menus and select Millimeters (mm) or Centimeters (cm) to switch to metric units for both horizontal and vertical measurements.
- Adjust Ruler Units:
- InDesign also allows you to set units for Stroke and Type. If you prefer to work in millimeters for strokes and type sizes, you can also change these options in the same Preferences window.
- Click OK:
- Once you’ve made your selections, click OK to apply the changes. These settings will now be the default for all new documents you create in InDesign.
Method 2: Change Units for an Existing Document
If you’re working on an existing document and need to change the units to metric, you can easily do so without affecting your global settings.
- Select the Document: Open the document that you want to adjust.
- Use the Ruler to Change Units:
- Ensure that Rulers are visible by going to View > Show Rulers (or pressing Ctrl + R on Windows or Cmd + R on Mac).
- Right-click on either the Horizontal Ruler or Vertical Ruler to bring up a context menu. Here, you’ll see a list of measurement options.
- Choose Millimeters (mm) or Centimeters (cm) from the options. This will change the units for that specific document, allowing you to work in metric units without changing the preferences for all other documents.
Method 3: Change Units Temporarily Using the Control Panel
InDesign also provides a way to work with different units temporarily, which is useful if you need to make quick changes or compare measurements without altering your default preferences.
- Select an Object: Use the Selection Tool (V) to select an object in your document.
- Enter Metric Units Manually: In the Control Panel or Properties Panel at the top of the screen, you can enter measurements using metric units. For example, if you need an object to be 50 mm wide, type “50 mm” in the width field. InDesign will convert this measurement to the default unit of the document but allow you to use metric for precise adjustments.
Setting Units for Guides, Margins, and Grids
In addition to the main document units, you may need to adjust the units used for guides, margins, and grids, especially if you’re setting up a precise layout for printing.
- Open Preferences:
- Again, go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Pasteboard (Windows) or InDesign > Preferences > Guides & Pasteboard (Mac).
- Guides and Grids:
- You can set Baseline Grid and Document Grid values in metric units here. Simply type the desired value and use “mm” or “cm” to set the measurement. For example, you could enter 10 mm for baseline grid spacing to create consistent spacing between text elements.
Setting Custom Units for Individual Layout Elements
There are times when you might want to mix units within the same document, using metric for certain elements while retaining other units for different purposes.
- Select the Layout Element: Select a text frame, shape, or any other element that you want to adjust.
- Enter Specific Units: In the Control Panel or Properties Panel, enter the dimensions you want, using mm or cm. For example, typing “30 mm” in the height field will resize the element to that exact metric size, even if your default document units are in inches or pixels.
Using Shortcut Keys for Unit Conversion
If you need to work with metric and non-metric units interchangeably, InDesign allows you to temporarily switch between units using keyboard shortcuts.
- Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while dragging an element to display its dimensions in points rather than your default unit. This can help you easily verify specific measurements without changing the entire document’s units.
Practical Examples of Changing to Metric Units
- International Publications: If you’re designing for an international audience, metric units are often required for consistency. Setting your units to millimeters or centimeters can help ensure that your dimensions and specifications are accurate and understood universally.
- Precision in Printing: Many professional printers require dimensions and bleed specifications in millimeters. By changing your InDesign units to metric, you can easily set your margins, bleed, and page dimensions to meet exact printing requirements.
- Product Packaging: When designing packaging materials, you need a high degree of precision. Millimeters and centimeters are often used to ensure that elements align properly and that the overall layout matches the dimensions required by the manufacturer.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Changing to Metric Units
- Units Not Updating: If the units do not update after changing them in Preferences, try saving and reopening the document. Sometimes, a restart is required for the changes to take full effect.
- Mixed Units Display: If you notice mixed units in your document, it could be due to manually entering values in a different unit. Ensure that all elements are consistent by double-checking the Control Panel or Properties Panel for any outliers.
- Global Preferences Not Applying: If changing the Preferences doesn’t apply to new documents, ensure that you’re setting the units while no document is open. This ensures that changes made in Preferences apply globally to all future projects.
Summary
Changing units to metric in Adobe InDesign is an essential skill for designers who work internationally or need a high level of precision for print projects. You can change units globally by adjusting your Preferences, alter them for specific documents using the Ruler, or enter metric values manually in dimension fields. By understanding how to effectively change to metric units, you can make sure your layouts are consistent, accurate, and suitable for your project needs.
Whether you’re creating an international publication, working with professional printers, or designing packaging with precise specifications, knowing how to switch to metric units in InDesign will allow you to maintain accuracy and efficiency throughout your design process.
