Skills you learn in this introductory Adobe InDesign course
- Using InDesign tools and panels
- Creating InDesign documents
- Navigating your InDesign document
- Adding text, applying formatting and controlling columns
- Importing and formatting graphics in InDesign
- Wrapping text around graphics in InDesign
- Applying color within InDesign documents
- Saving colors for re-use using swatches and color libraries
- Using libraries in InDesign to save repeatedly used elements
- Adding, deleting & arranging InDesign pages
- Using parent pages to control headers and footers in InDesign
- Printing and saving to PDF to share your documents
See all course topics
This course is available individually or as part of these certificate programs
InDesign Course - Introduction - Course Dates
All classes are led by a live instructor. Class times listed are Eastern time.
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Topics covered in this introduction to Adobe InDesign course
InDesign essential skills
- Using the InDesign workspace
- Changing the viewing modes
- Working with panels
- Changing and saving your workspace
- Working with the Properties panel
- Navigating through a document
Building InDesign documents with master pages
- Planning your document
- Creating a custom-sized document
- Formatting master pages
- Using text variables
- Basing master pages on other masters
- Overriding master page items
- Adding layout pages
- Placing formatted text
- Adding images and text to master pages
- Applying masters to pages
Working with text and type in InDesign
- Creating a text frame
- Inputting text
- Changing character, and paragraph attributes
- Finding and changing text
- Checking and correcting spelling
- Using the Glyphs panel
- Flowing text from one textbox to another
- Threading text between frames
Working with InDesign's styles
- Style types
- Defining paragraph styles
- Applying paragraph styles
- Defining character styles
- Applying character styles
- Updating styles
- Loading styles from another document
- Organizing styles into groups
- Creating object styles
- Applying object styles
Working with graphics in InDesign
- How InDesign handles graphics
- Locating missing images
- The Links panel and Link badge
- Creating a graphic frame
- Adding graphics
- Repositioning graphics
- Fitting graphics to frames
- Placing multiple graphics
- Wrapping text around graphics
- Importing layered Photoshop files
Creating and using InDesign tables
- Creating a table
- Copying and pasting table information
- Adding text to tables
- Converting tables and text
- Importing a table
- Editing table options
- Using cells
- Merging cells
- Defining columns and rows
- Using graphics in cells
Applying colors to your InDesign documents
- Applying color to text
- Applying color to frames
- Creating and saving a new swatch
- Applying Live Corner Effects
- Applying strokes to text
- Creating a tint reduction
- Working with gradients
- Using the Eyedropper
- Updating and editing colors
- Using and saving spot colors
Preflighting, Printing and PDF creation from InDesign
- Package inventory
- Actual vs. effective resolution
- Preflight checks
- Packaging your document
- Package options
- Creating a PDF
- Adobe PDF Presets
- PDF Export Options
- Separation preview
- Printing a proof
The course topics serve as an outline for the course. Instructors may adjust content based on the specific needs of each class, such as to answer your InDesign questions.
Custom and private InDesign classes
This InDesign course is available as a private class. Curriculum can be customized for your specific needs. InDesign classes can be delivered at your location, online, or in our classrooms. For more information, call 781-376-6044 to speak with a training consultant or contact us.
Introduction to Adobe InDesign Course: Prerequisites
We recommend that you have the Adobe InDesign software before starting the class. You can purchase the software, subscribe to the Creative Cloud, or obtain a trial version of it at from the Adobe website.
Exceptional InDesign course materials
Our proprietary curriculum has been proven effective in teaching [category short name] to thousands. You’ll receive our extensive written reference along with lesson files for you to continue your practice following the class. This introductory course includes a copy of our Digital Classroom book with many projects and exercises.
Repeat for free
If you need a refresher or miss a day of class, you can repeat the InDesign class at no additional cost for one year.
InDesign FAQ
Do I receive a InDesign certificate?
AGI provides a certificate upon course completion, which can be shared on LinkedIn and verified digitally on the AGI website.
How many students are in a InDesign class?
AGI limits its class sizes so that you receive personalized attention. Classes are limited to no more than 10 participants.
Can I get specific InDesign questions answered in the class?
Yes, as a live class, you can ask the instructor questions about how you will be using InDesign.
Does this InDesign class include job placement support?
AGI provides job support only when InDesign classes are taken as part of a longer-term certificate program, where AGI has a dedicated career counselor assigned to each certificate student.
Is this InDesign class for Mac or Windows?
Using a Mac or Windows computer, you can attend this InDesign class. The application itself has identical functionality for both. If attending in our classrooms, a computer will be provided using the operating system of your choice.
Private InDesign classes for companies and groups
This InDesign class is available as a private workshop for your company, group, or team. Use the contact form on this page or call 781 376-6044 to learn more about private classes.