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Add or remove paragraph rules
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to apply and customize horizontal lines above or below paragraphs that move with text in Adobe InDesign.
Paragraph rules are horizontal lines attached to a paragraph that move and resize as the text flows. Use them to separate content, highlight headings, or apply consistent styling through paragraph styles.
Rule width follows the column by default. For the rules above, the offset is measured from the first line’s baseline to the bottom of the rule. For the rules below, the measurement is from the last line’s baseline to the top of the rule.
Adjust paragraph spacing
Control spacing between paragraphs in the Paragraph panel. Space Before is ignored above a column or frame. To adjust it, increase the first line’s leading or the frame’s top inset.
Select Type > Paragraph.
In the Paragraph panel, adjust the values in the fields next to the Space Before icon, the Space After icon, and the Space Between Paragraphs Using Same Style icon.
Add a rule above or below a paragraph
Select the paragraph.
Select Type > Paragraph.
Select the Paragraph panel menu icon and select Paragraph Rules.
In the Paragraph Rules dialog box, select Rule Above or Rule Below.
Select Rule On.
Select Preview to see the rule as you configure it.
Select or specify values for the following:
- Weight: Set the rule thickness.
- Type: Set the rule appearance (Solid, Dashed, Dotted, and so on).
- Color: Set the rule color based on the Swatches panel. Select Text Color to match the paragraph text (first character for Rule Above, last for Rule Below).
- Tint: Set a value to adjust color intensity (not available for None, Paper, Registration, or Text Color).
- Gap Color and Gap Tint: Change the appearance of gaps between dashes, dots, or lines (for line types other than solid).
Select one of the following for Width:
- Text: To span from the left edge of the text to the line end.
- Column: To span the full column width.
Type an Offset value to control the vertical position of the rule.
Select Keep In Frame to ensure the rule above text stays within the text frame boundaries.
Type values for Left Indent and Right Indent to adjust the rule position without affecting text indents.
Select OK.
Tip
To create both a rule above and below the same paragraph, repeat the procedure and select Rule On for both Rule Above and Rule Below in the Paragraph Rule dialog box.
Remove a paragraph rule
Use the Type tool to select the paragraph.
Select Type > Paragraph.
Select Paragraph Rules from the Paragraph panel menu or Control panel menu.
Deselect Rule On and select OK.
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