Find/change GREP in Indesign

[schultel]

Hello.

I am trying to use the Find/Change option in InDesign CS3. Is there a way to find change spacing after periods. I was given copy but unfortunately, there is an inconsistency with spacing after periods. Sometimes its single spaced and other times double spaced. I want to convert them all to double space. But I can't figure out the code to use in Find/Change.
Can anyone help with this?

Thanks!

[Broacher]

You don't even need to use GREP. Simple F/R with Text for ". " to ". " run a couple times should do it. There's no code needed.

[schultel]

I tried running that find and change but when I did that, it even changed my spacing on the ones where I had a double space. So now in places I have 3 or 4 spacing after a period.
Why did it not work?

[Rizz]

Hmm. Try running a find/change to make them all single spaced first, then do the double space. That way you won't have any extra spaces.

-Rizz

[Broacher]

You're positive those are normal spaces, and not some special spacing character (en, em, thin space, etc.)?

Did you test that F/C set on a test text block intentionally filled with ". " sentences?

[Jonski3000]

You don't even need to use GREP. Simple F/R with Text for ". " to ". " run a couple times should do it. There's no code needed.

I tried running that find and change but when I did that, it even changed my spacing on the ones where I had a double space. So now in places I have 3 or 4 spacing after a period.
Why did it not work?

Because... and this is not really easy to explain. With that method when you went to find ".[space]" to change it to ".[space][space]", where you already had ".[space][space]" the program was ignoring the second "[space]" and changing it to ".[space][space][space].

I confused myself writing that! But this is one reason why computers haven't taken over the world!

Like Rizz says, change them all to single spaces first, then do double spaces and it will work. Or alternatively, follow the rules of typography and use single spaces!

[Pointyhat]

Chances are good who ever prepresses the piece may change those double spaces back to single. DTP doesn't require double spaces after periods.

[Broacher]

Ah yeah. Gotcha. Me, I just go in and replace all double spaces with singles. Is there ever a real need to keep double spaces?

[Virgo Nightingale]

Double spaces after a sentence are for when you're using a typewriter or a monospace font. They shouldn't be there otherwise.

[schultel]

Thanks for your help! I guess I will manually change them. The only reason I was going with double spacing was because there seemed to be more of it in the copy that was sent to me.

[Pointyhat]

Convert them all to single spaces.

[Virgo Nightingale]

It's an old habit for anyone who first learned to type on a typewriter before migrating to the computer. It's understandably hard to break, but thankfully the find/change trick makes quick work of turning double spaces to single.

[emucru]

If you have CS3 it is a preset. Drop down the Query in F/C "multiple spaces to single space"

I use it all the time because everyone here apparently learned on a typewriter. :(

[urstwile]

Oooh, cool tip, emucru, I didn't know that was a preset in CS3. Woohoo!

[Danger_Mouse]

My name is Dangermouse, and I learned to type on a typewriter. I started using double spaces right away. I can never seem to cut it down to single spaces. My friends and family have all tried to intervene, but the addiction overpowers all else. I had originally typed this post in single space...I really tried. But I NEEEED double space.

Thanks for listening.


omg///GDF converts all my doubles to singles. (raises and shakes fist)

[urstwile]

LOL Danger_Mouse. :D

When I first started setting type, I had the bad habit of double spaces (as I had previously been a typist, where it was required). Fortunately, the typesetting system stripped out all double spaces, and eventually I was able to get over my filthy habit as well.