Differences in Text Underline Spacing

Hi Wendy,

in terms of underline spacing there is no difference if you apply the underline in Text editor dialog or using Change text attributes tool: In both cases underline spacing from a text style is used (defined in Text Styles dialog, tab Under/Overline). But what is not quite clear from a user perspective is what spacing value and when is read from the text style.

If you just start typing, style (none) is probably used and this style has define the spacing as 0 ... so the line touches the text. To change it, you have to go to Text Styles dialog, change the underline spacing value and to press Activate button. The change in the spacing should be copied to typed text dynamically.

Similar situation (but a bit more weird) is if there a text exists and you want to add the underline to a part of the text. You are right you have to use Text editor again in such case, not Change text attributes tool. General workflow which should work is:

1. Start Edit text tool (or double click on a text element).
2. In Text Editor dialog, select the text you want to underline.
3. Switch underline on (Ctrl+U can be used in the dialog)
4. Open Text Styles dialog (using magnifier icon).
5. Set a proper underline spacing value and press Activate button.
6. Accept the change by a data point.

If you are in a situation where just a few text styles exist, you can simplify the process if you will create two versions for every style - one not underlined and the second yes. In such case you will be able simply assign proper text styles to parts of text without jumping to Text Styles dialog.

With regards,

  Jan

Hi Wendy,

in terms of underline spacing there is no difference if you apply the underline in Text editor dialog or using Change text attributes tool: In both cases underline spacing from a text style is used (defined in Text Styles dialog, tab Under/Overline). But what is not quite clear from a user perspective is what spacing value and when is read from the text style.

If you just start typing, style (none) is probably used and this style has define the spacing as 0 ... so the line touches the text. To change it, you have to go to Text Styles dialog, change the underline spacing value and to press Activate button. The change in the spacing should be copied to typed text dynamically.

Similar situation (but a bit more weird) is if there a text exists and you want to add the underline to a part of the text. You are right you have to use Text editor again in such case, not Change text attributes tool. General workflow which should work is:

1. Start Edit text tool (or double click on a text element).
2. In Text Editor dialog, select the text you want to underline.
3. Switch underline on (Ctrl+U can be used in the dialog)
4. Open Text Styles dialog (using magnifier icon).
5. Set a proper underline spacing value and press Activate button.
6. Accept the change by a data point.

If you are in a situation where just a few text styles exist, you can simplify the process if you will create two versions for every style - one not underlined and the second yes. In such case you will be able simply assign proper text styles to parts of text without jumping to Text Styles dialog.

With regards,

  Jan