How to Create a Running Header in InDesign
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The presenter demonstrates how to set up a universal running header for a magazine in Adobe InDesign using a text variable with a character style. The first step is to set up a character style that will allow for different formatting on each spread while still using the same running header definition. The character style should be completely blank and not based on anything. A shortcut can also be assigned to the character style for easier application.
Next, the presenter shows how to set up the running header text. The running header needs to be specified as a text variable, which can be found under the Type menu. By default, InDesign already has a running header definition, but it can be edited to work with a paragraph style or a character style. In this case, the previously set up character style is selected. The presenter also mentions that the case of the running header text can be changed to uppercase or title case.
After setting up the text variable, the presenter goes to the master page, which is the best place to work with text variables and running headers. A text frame is created, and the running header text variable is inserted from the Text Variables option under the Type menu. The running header text will appear as "running header" in brackets, but it will change on each page based on the defined character style.
To use the running header on the rest of the magazine, the titles or text that should appear in the running header need to be defined. By applying the character style to the desired text frames, the running header will automatically update to reflect the selected text. If the running header doesn't update immediately, clicking away to another page and then returning will refresh it.
The presenter demonstrates this by applying the character style to different text frames on different pages, and the running header updates accordingly. The running header can be applied quickly using the Quick Apply option by pressing Command or Control + Enter and typing in the style name.
Overall, the video provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up a universal running header in Adobe InDesign using a text variable and character style. The running header will automatically update based on the defined character style applied to different text frames on each page.
The presenter demonstrates how to set up a universal running header for a magazine in Adobe InDesign