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Auto-detection of Flex Layout in InDesign

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Learn how InDesign automatically detects and applies Flex Layout properties when creating Flex layouts from multiple selections.

InDesign automatically identifies and applies the most appropriate Flex settings when you generate a Flex Layout from multiple selections. This minimizes manual adjustments and ensures your layout functions as expected.

You can turn off auto-detection by navigating to Preferences > General > Auto-detect and apply Flex layout settings. If turned off, InDesign will always use the default properties of Flex Layout when creating a document.

You can change these defaults from the Flex Layout panel in a no-selection state.

Flex Layout for perfectly aligned selections

When objects are aligned neatly along a single axis:

  • InDesign identifies whether items are aligned on the x-axis (horizontal) or y-axis (vertical) and creates a Flex container in that direction.
  • The container’s size is set to Auto in the identified direction, so it adjusts to fit the child objects.
  • Spacing is set to Space Between so that items are distributed evenly with symmetrical gaps.
Three perfectly aligned images are place on the canvas and the Flex Layout panel is open with different options.
Create a perfectly aligned horizontal Flex Layout to maintain equal spacing and proportions between placed images.

Flex Layout for imperfectly aligned selections

When objects are not perfectly aligned:

  • InDesign scans the relative positions of items using the x and y coordinates of their centers and creates a Flex Layout with Wrap turned on, so items flow across multiple lines or columns.
  • If a horizontal direction is detected: Container width is Fixed, height is Auto to support wrapping. 
  • If a vertical direction is detected: Container height is Fixed, width is Auto to support wrapping. 
Three images are placed on the canvas which are not aligned properly. The Flex Layout panel showing various option is also open.
Arrange page elements automatically using Flex Layout in Adobe InDesign

Limitation of auto-detect with nested structure

By default, auto-detection does not create nested Flex Layouts.

  • Groups already containing a Flex Layout are treated as single objects within the parent container.
  • To create nested structures (for example, a grid of cards where each card uses its own Flex Layout for image and text), manually convert the inner groups to Flex Layouts before or after creating the outer container.

This ensures nesting is always deliberate and avoids unexpected results.

Stacked image frames in InDesign showing a vertical Flex Layout with alignment and spacing options enabled.
Build a nested Flex Layout for vertically aligned images and design elements with consistent spacing and size control.

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