How to Highlight Text in Adobe InDesign

Updated on:

June 5, 2026

By:

Madhav Bhandari

Use this interactive demo to learn how to highlight text in Adobe InDesign.

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Here is a simple and quick guide on how to highlight text in Adobe InDesign:

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To highlight text in Adobe InDesign, open the Character Styles panel by going to 'Window' → 'Styles' → 'Character Styles.'
Once the panel opens, click the '+' icon at the bottom to create a new style
Highlight the text you want to emphasize, then click your new style to apply the highlight.
A Character Style Options dialog box will open. Navigate to Underline Options in the right-side menu of the panel.
Within the menu, check 'Underline On' and configure its settings below, such as color, thickness, and offset or placement within the text. Make sure 'Preview' is enabled to see real-time changes.”
Once you’re done, click 'OK' to apply. Your text will now be highlighted using the newly created and customized style.

📌 Why this matters

Highlighting text draws readers' eyes to critical information, improving document comprehension and usability. While basic text formatting like bold or italics can feel heavy-handed, customizable underlining creates subtle emphasis that maintains visual hierarchy without overwhelming your layout.

This technique becomes particularly powerful when working with complex documents like reports, manuals, or educational materials where you need to guide readers through layered information. By creating reusable character styles, you ensure consistent highlighting across multi-page documents while maintaining the flexibility to adjust emphasis levels throughout your design process.

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