May. 6, 2009
Eliminate a few clicks from your life with this handy hand tool shortcut…
Have you noticed when you’re working within a text frame with your type tool active, you can’t pan around to another part of the document page without adding multiple spaces to your text? This is a regular annoyance for a lot of InDesign users.
The solution is simple! If you are working with text and you have your type tool active within a text frame, simply hold down “Option” (MAC) or “Alt” (PC). You have now temporarily changed to the Hand Tool and can navigate around your page freely. When done, let go of Option/Alt and you can continue working with your text. This eliminates the need to use scroll bars or manually select different tools from the tools panel.
You could also try ”Command” (MAC) or “Control” (PC) which allows you to move the active text frame.
[Click play to watch video tutorial, will commence once downloaded in full]
3 Responses to “Using the Hand Tool within a Text Frame”
I was so happy to see this, then so sad that it doesn’t seem to work in CS3.
By Isaac on Oct 13, 2009
… er, as an addendum to anyone else using CS3 who stumbles upon this, holding option+space while using the Type Tool gives the Hand Tool (like holding space with the Selection Tool).
By Isaac on Oct 13, 2009
@ Isaac - It is exactly the same in CS3
By Neil Oliver on Oct 13, 2009