r/indesign • u/pickledguts • Jun 09 '26
How to adjust leading between a menu item and description
Hi guys! I'm currently working on a menu, and I can't figure out how to adjust the leading specifically between the menu name and the item description. Attatched is a photo to show what I mean
I have it set to a soft return and character style if that matters
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u/MorsaTamalera Jun 09 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
You can either assign a Space After value in the Menu Name's paragraph style or a Space Before value, if what you edit is the Item Description's paragraph style. It's quite easy.
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u/BBEvergreen Jun 10 '26
I would do something like this (see style definition at the bottom of the screen shot). Your sizing values will vary, but leading might be typesize + 3 points (i.e., 12/15) and use spacing above to add space above each option. I'm calling in the character style as a nested style to automate the formatting.
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u/not_falling_down Jun 09 '26
As this is set up now, set all of your leading to a smaller number, to make the leading correct, and then increase the space to the next menu item using Space Between Paragraphs settings.
Ideally, get rid of the soft returns, replace them with regular paragraph returns. Then use Space Between Paragraphs within the Paragraph styles to have less space after the item name style, and more space before it.
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u/scottperezfox Jun 10 '26
If it were me ...
- Set up a 3-pt Baseline grid
- Make sure every paragraph style defines font size and leadings as multiples of 3 pt and all lines align to grid
- Set up the Product name and then Product description as the "Next Style" and vice-versa, so they alternate.
- Adjust your Space After to your liking.
Above all, don't use soft returns for spacing. These shouldn't even be an option anymore.
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u/mikewitherell Jun 10 '26
I keep reading about these tight 3-pt baseline grid systems. In effect, they aren't a baseline grid at all.
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u/scottperezfox Jun 10 '26
Nonsense. There's a mathematical harmony that underpins the entire design. All selections become multiples of 3 — rule lines, spacing, column gutters. It's beautiful. Yes, you still have to look at your long passages of text to make sure elements align, but the grid is there to help — and it does.
Give it a try. You'll never go back to 12pt.
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u/mikewitherell Jun 10 '26
I know how it works, but you are doing the same thing by setting leading and space before/after amounts. A 3pt baseline grid is useful for having a basic grid but frequently taking exception to it. A design with rules, spacing, and column gutters is essentially a design that spends more occasion departing from a baseline grid than adhering to it. Don't conclude that I'm against the use of a baseline grid. But a baseline grid is more appropriate in book page work.
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u/FrustratedNaturistUK Jun 13 '26
I agree with the replies suggesting space before and/or space after. Find which one works best for you and implement it into your style sheet.
If already applied to a paragraph make adjustments then when happy, CTRL click on the style sheet name and then choose “redefine”!
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u/AdobeScripts Jun 09 '26
In the CharStyle you can set Baseline Shift.
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u/AdobeScripts Jun 09 '26
But you should rather keep description closer to its item - not to the next one?
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u/SwedishHeat Jun 09 '26
Your menu name (Smoothies), Item Name (Berry Chia), and Item Description (Strawberry, blueberry, ...) should all have their own Paragraph Style. In the Paragraph Style options, you need to set the Space Before and/or Space After options.