Break the link between text and its style

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to remove paragraph or character style links to keep existing formatting unchanged in Adobe InDesign.

Breaking a style link removes the style association while keeping the current formatting, so the text no longer updates with the style. It converts formatting to local overrides and removes the style name, unlike clearing overrides, which resets text to the style.

Select the text you want to detach from its style using the Type tool.

Select Window > Styles > Paragraph Styles or Character Styles (depending on the style type applied).

Select the panel menu icon, then select Break Link to Style. Breaking the link stops the text from updating with the style. If no text is selected, new text keeps the same formatting but has no style applied.