InDesign

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Set up a baseline grid

Use Grid Preferences to set up a baseline grid for the entire document.

You can set up a baseline grid for a frame by using the Text Frame Options. (See Set baseline grids for a text frame.)
  1. Choose Edit > Preferences > Grids (Windows) or InDesign > Preferences > Grids (Mac OS).
  2. Specify a baseline grid color by choosing a color in the Color menu. You can also choose Custom in the Color menu.
  3. For Start, type a value to offset the grid from either the top of the page or the top margin of the page, depending on the option you choose from the Relative To menu. If you have trouble aligning the vertical ruler to this grid, try starting with a value of zero.
  4. For Increment Every, type a value for the spacing between grid lines. In most cases, type a value that equals your body text leading, so that lines of text align perfectly to this grid.
    Baseline grid in document window

    A.
    First grid line

    B.
    Increment between grid lines

  5. For View Threshold, type a value to specify the magnification below which the grid does not appear, and click OK. Increase the view threshold to prevent crowded grid lines at lower magnifications.
    Baseline grid at magnification below view threshold (left) and above view threshold (right)

  6. Click OK.
Note: The Snap to Guides command controls both snapping to guides and snapping to the baseline grid.