Find/Replace an indent size

[P***@adobeforums.com]

Can someone please tell me if it is possible to do a Find/Replace on a document to change an indent size (in CS3).

For example, if I have a document with a lot of instances of a left hand indent of 30px, which I would like to change to 10px.

Please help! This would save me hours of manual work if I can find a solution.

[S***@adobeforums.com]

Yes, it is possible.

You open the Find/Change.

Click the Text tab.

You make sure the More Options button has been clicked so it says Fewer Options.

In the Find Format area you click the little magnifying/T icon for Specify Attributes to find.

You click the Indents and Spacing label on the left.

You specify 30 pts for the left indent. You leave everything else blank.

You click OK. The specification for 30 pts left indent appears.

In the change Format area you click the little magnifying/T icon for Specify Attributes to change.

You click the Indents and Spacing label on the left.

You specify 10 pts for the left indent. You leave everything else blank.

You click OK. The specification for 10 pts left indent appears.

You then run the Find/Change controls.

If you are sure that every paragraph that has 30 pts indent needs to be changed, you click Change All.

You have just saved hours of work.

[unknown]

Post by S***@adobeforums.com
You have just saved hours of work.

But I'm guessing there's be a huge waste of work if all the paragraphs
are manually style.

This is why paragraph styles were invented.

Bob

[P***@adobeforums.com]

This is only in CS4 isn't it? I can't see these options in CS3.

If so, I have just saved hours of work, but it's just cost me $1000! ;)

[P***@adobeforums.com]

Excuse me, I'm being dense and I was confused when you said make it 'Fewer Options'. I understand now. Many thanks indeed!

[D***@adobeforums.com]

Be warned though that this might not work if you are using measurement units other than points. Rounding errors might make it impossible for you actually match the indent.

It is a weakness that ought to be addressed but not very many people have complained about it so perhaps it doesn't matter as much as I think it should.

Dave

[j***@adobeforums.com]

I use a tiny javascript to copy the indent value to the Find box:



app.findTextPreferences.firstLineIndent = app.selection[0].paragraphs[0].firstLineIndent;
app.findTextPreferences.leftIndent = app.selection[0].paragraphs[0].leftIndent;

(I've occassionally had this fail as well--but it mostly works.)

[P***@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for your help everyone. Problem fixed via the formating options. Cheers!