Create and apply named grids to frames

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to save frame grid formatting in Adobe InDesign as reusable named grids and apply them consistently across your document.

Named grids provide reusable, style‑like formatting for frame grids, helping you keep grid settings consistent throughout your document. They integrate with the Properties panel, support Variable Fonts, and sync across devices using Creative Cloud Libraries. Available when CJK or East Asian Type options are enabled, named grids include a default Layout Grid and visually indicate applied formatting by highlighting the active grid style in the Named Grids panel.

Create a named grid format

Select the frame grid that has the formatting you want to save using the Selection tool.

Select Window > Type & Tables > Named Grids.

Select the panel menu icon and then select New Named Grid or select the Create Style icon in the Contextual Task Bar.

In the Edit Grid Format dialog box, enter a descriptive name in the Grid Name field.

Configure the grid options including Font (with support for Variable Font sliders), Size, Vertical Scale and Horizontal Scale, Char Aki (character spacing), Line Aki (line spacing), Line Align, Grid Align, and Char Align settings.

Select the Live Preview option at the bottom of the dialog box to see formatting changes on your document in real-time before saving.

Select OK to save the named grid format.

Note

When you create a new named grid format based on a selected frame grid, the format attribute changes apply immediately to that frame grid. To avoid modifying the selected frame grid, deselect it before opening the Edit Grid Format dialog box.

Apply a named grid format to frame grids

Applying a named grid format sets grid formatting attributes for text in the frame grid. However, text that has character styles, paragraph styles, or direct formatting applied retains those attributes, which take precedence over grid formatting. You can view a plus icon next to the style name when both style and grid formatting are applied.

Select one or more frame grids using the Selection tool, or select text within a frame grid using the Type tool.

In the Named Grids panel (Window > Type & Tables > Named Grids) or the Frame Grid section of the Properties panel, select the name of the grid format you want to apply. You can also use the Apply to All Similar button in the Task Bar to apply the style to all matching frames in the story.

To apply grid format attributes to all text in a story, select the frame grid using the Selection tool and select Edit > Apply Grid Format.