How do I create a Text Drop Shadow in Adobe® InDesign®?

• Create your text or headline using the Text tool.
• Select the text with the Selection tool.

InDesign CS5, CS4 and CS3

• Open the Drop Shadow dialog box:
  • Select Object > Effects > Drop Shadow (Win:Ctrl+Alt+M, Mac:Comand+Option+M) or
  • Use the Effects panel and choose Effects > Drop Shadow from the panel menu
  • Or use the Drop Shadow button on the Control palette. 
• Click the Preview check box to see the changes take place.

• Choose a blending Mode: such as Multiply.
• Enter the Opacity amount.
• Enter the X Offset.
• Enter the Y Offset.
• Change the Angle, if needed
• Enter a Size (Options section), to change the blur amount.
• Click on the color chip between Mode and Opacity if the shadow will be a color other than Black.
  • Only use a color for the drop shadow if the page will print in four-color. Check with your Herff Jones Sales Representative about the use of color in your yearbook.
• Experiment with the settings to get different shadow effects.
• Click OK

InDesign CS2 and CS

• Select Object > Drop Shadow (Win:Ctrl+Alt+M, Mac:Comand+Option+M).
• Click the Drop Shadow check box.
• Click the Preview check box to see the changes take place.

• Choose a blending Mode: such as Multiply.
• Enter the Opacity amount.
• Enter the X Offset.
• Enter the Y Offset.
• Enter the Blur distance.
• Choose a color from the Color: menu if the shadow will be a color other than Black.
  • Only use a color for the drop shadow if the page will print in four-color. Check with your Herff Jones Sales Representative about the use of color in your yearbook.
• Experiment with the settings to get different shadow effects.
• Click OK.