Select one or more objects using the Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool.
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Settings and preferences
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- Adjust text display quality
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Create and organize pages
- Import and convert file to InDesign
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Arrange and order pages
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Layout and grid tools
- Apply layout adjustments
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Grids
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- Show or hide frame grid character count
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- Generative AI features
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Add and manage text
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Format and style text
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Text styles
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Tabs, indents, and spacing
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Text styles
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Language and proofing
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Arabic and Hebrew
- Set up World-Ready composers for Arabic and Hebrew
- Control text direction for Arabic and Hebrew
- Justify Arabic text with automatic Kashida insertion
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- Copy and paste Arabic and Hebrew text from Microsoft Word
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Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
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Glyphs, characters, and expressions
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- Find and replace with text patterns (GREP)
- Save and manage find and replace queries
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Indexes and references
- Add a Table of Contents
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Add graphics and media
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Add and edit graphics
- Generate images with text prompts
- Extend images beyond borders
- Apply effects to text and shapes
- Add images to documents
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- Manage frames and objects
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Transform and arrange objects
- Move, scale, rotate, shear, and flip objects
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- About anchored objects
- Transform anchored objects
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Add and edit graphics
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Add tables and data
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Interactive elements and forms
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Create lines and shapes
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Apply color
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Define and manage color assets
- Apply color to text, objects, and backgrounds
- Mix and define custom colors
- Organize and reuse color swatches
- Add and manage colors from CC libraries
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- Apply colors to grayscale images
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- Swatch types
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Advanced color techniques
- Apply opacity and transparency effects
- Transparency effects options and settings
- Change transparency display settings
- Apply blending modes
- Blending mode options
- Control blending with isolation and knockouts
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Define and manage color assets
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Collaborate and review
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Share and collaborate
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Edit with InCopy
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Save, export, and publish
- Save and export
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Export to EPUB
- Export to EPUB
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- Accessibility enhancements for indexes
- Adjust text resizing for accessibility
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- Add ARIA labels to objects
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- Create accessible glossaries
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- Publish work online
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Print
- Page setup and printer marks
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Color output and separations
- About color separations
- Prepare documents for color separation
- Create color separations
- Save and print color separations
- Print gradients as separations
- About ink trapping
- Trap a document or a book
- Trap preset options
- Set the trap width for colors next to black
- Print a composite
- Use color management when printing
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- Print objects on all color plates
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- Overprint strokes and fills
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Automation and scripting
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App integrations
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Troubleshoot
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Launch and crash issues
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File and output issues
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Settings, interface, and feature issues
- Feature keyboard shortcuts don’t work
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Apply blending modes
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to use blending modes to control how overlapping object colors interact with the underlying artwork in Adobe InDesign.
Blending modes define how colors combine when objects overlap. They blend the color of the selected object with colors beneath it to create new results. Use them to add depth, improve overlays, or create special effects. They work with frames, shapes, text, and placed graphics.
Open the Effects panel (Window > Effects).
Select a blending mode, such as Normal or Overlay, from the drop-down menu. You can also access blending modes from Object > Effects > Transparency.
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