End or remove a nested style

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to use special characters or deletion to control nested style formatting endpoints in Adobe InDesign.

In most cases, a nested style ends where the condition of the defined style is met, such as after three words or where a period appears. Use these procedures when you need to end a nested style before its condition is met or when you want to remove nested style formatting from a paragraph. These techniques work with both Paragraph Style-based nested styles and locally applied nested styles.

End a nested style before its condition is met

Place the insertion point where you want the nested style to end.

Select Type > Insert Special Character > Other > End Nested Style Here.

Remove nested style formatting from a paragraph

Remove nested styles when you no longer need automatic character formatting or when you want to reapply different styles.

Select Type > Paragraph.

Select the panel menu icon, then select Drop Caps and Nested Styles.

Select the nested style you want to remove under Nested Styles.

Select Delete to remove the selected nested style.

Select OK. You can also apply a paragraph style without nested styles from the Paragraph Styles panel (Window > Styles > Paragraph Styles) to remove nested styles automatically.

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