Auto-style text

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to apply automatic styling formats for text and paragraphs in Adobe InDesign.

Auto Style helps you style large documents effortlessly. Using artificial intelligence, it reads text and identifies elements such as headings, subheadings, paragraphs, bullets, and more. It subsequently applies styles to different sections based on your Style Pack selection.

Apply Auto Style to any text frame

Select the text, text frame, or multiple text frames you want to format.

Select Window > Styles > Style Packs.

Select a style pack from the available presets to automatically apply formatting. You can also apply Auto Style by selecting Type > Auto Style or by selecting the Auto Style option from the Quick Actions section of the Properties panel.

Auto Style copied text

You can copy and paste text from other surfaces, such as Microsoft Word, a text editor, or a webpage, and Auto Style it with the Style Packs. The copied text must contain at least 1000 characters to use this feature.

Use the Type tool to place an insertion point in your InDesign document.

Copy and paste text from any other surface.

Select the Paste text only icon, then select Auto Style text icon.

Clipboard Handling

If you don't see the Auto Style text icon, adjust your Clipboard Handling options.

Select Edit > Preferences > Clipboard Handling.

Select Show Auto Style Option, then select OK.

Note

You can also use the Place option (File > Place) to import a text (TXT) file or a Microsoft Word document (DOCX) into your InDesign document. The imported file must contain at least 1000 characters to use the Auto Style feature.