PageMaker 7.0 Basics: How to Use the Control Palette

The PageMaker Control Palette displays the settings and properties of selected text, object or paragraph. It also enables you to adjust these settings and properties so as to manipulate your text and images.

To display the Control Palette

• Click on the Window menu and then select Show Control Palette from the drop-down box.

To stop displaying the control palette

• Click on the Window menu and then select Hide Control Palette from the drop-down box.

The Control Palette is context-sensitive, and will change from one mode or view to another depending on the tool that you select from the toolbox. Each mode provides different functions and enables you to manipulate your text and images by adjusting settings in the Control Palette.

You can use the Control Palette to format text when you are in layout view or in the story editor. You can switch between two modes as desired to format your text:

• Character Mode
• Paragraph Mode

Control Palette In Character Mode

Use this mode to change character attributes. When you select the text tool, the Control Palette will be displayed in character mode. It displays and lets you adjust the properties of one or more characters in your text, including fonts, type size, type style, leading, Kerning, tracking and width of your text.

Control Palette In Paragraph Mode

Use this mode to display and change the attributes of one or more selected paragraphs. You can adjust attributes such as displays paragraph styles, indentation, alignment, paragraph spacing and alignment as well as grid alignment and grid spacing.

When you select an object, the Control Palette will be displayed in object mode. It displays and lets you adjust the properties of your object, including: the reference point, size, position, cropping, scaling and printer resolution, as well as horizontal and vertical reflection. You can also skew, scale or rotate the object using the Control Palette in object mode.

The Pointer Mode

The Pointer View indicates the X and Y coordinates of your pointer as you move it within the PageMaker window.

Placed Object Mode

When you select an image using your Pointer tool, the Placed Object View will display information on that graphic, such as its height, width and coordinates. It also gives you the options to crop, scale and rotate the image.

In-Line Graphic Mode

The In-Line Graphic View displays information about a selected image relative to the text that is around it. It also enables you to crop the image, as well as increase or decrease the spacing between the image and the text that surrounds it.

Quick Tip

It is helpful to always keep your Control Palette open. A convenient place to dock it is at the top of the window, just under the menu bar.