To resize a rectangle in InDesign, you can use the Selection Tool and drag its bounding box handles.
Using the Bounding Box
The most common way to resize a rectangle is by using its bounding box handles.
- Select the Rectangle: Ensure the rectangle object is selected using the Selection Tool (the black arrow).
- Locate Handles: You will see handles (small squares) on the corners and sides of the rectangle's bounding box.
- Drag to Resize: Click and drag any of these handles.
Controlling Resizing with Modifier Keys
As the reference states, you can modify the resizing behavior by holding down specific keys while dragging the handles:
- Free Transform: Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) and drag any bounding box handle. This allows you to freely resize the object proportionally or non-proportionally until it is the desired size.
- Maintain Proportions: To resize the rectangle while keeping its original width-to-height ratio, hold down Shift in addition to Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) while dragging a corner handle.
- Resize from Center: To resize the rectangle from its center point outwards, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) in addition to Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) while dragging any handle.
- Maintain Proportions and Resize from Center: Combine all three keys: hold down Ctrl + Shift + Alt (Windows) or Command + Shift + Option (Mac OS) while dragging a corner handle.
Here's a quick summary:
| Action | Windows Keys | macOS Keys | Drag Handle Type | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Resize | Ctrl + Drag | Command + Drag | Any | Resizes to desired size, can distort |
| Proportional Resize | Ctrl + Shift + Drag | Command + Shift + Drag | Corner | Resizes proportionally |
| Resize from Center | Ctrl + Alt + Drag | Command + Option + Drag | Any | Resizes from the object's center |
| Proportional & Centered | Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Drag | Command + Shift + Option + Drag | Corner | Resizes proportionally from the center |
Using the Transform Panel
Alternatively, you can resize a rectangle numerically using the Transform panel (Window > Object & Layout > Transform).
- Select the Rectangle: Use the Selection Tool.
- Open Transform Panel: If not already open, go to
Window > Object & Layout > Transform. - Adjust Dimensions: Enter specific values into the
W(Width) andH(Height) fields. - Maintain Proportions: Click the chain icon next to the
WandHfields to link them. Changing one value will automatically update the other proportionally. - Reference Point: Use the 9-point proxy icon in the Transform panel to set the point (e.g., center, corner) from which the resizing should occur.
By combining these methods, you can efficiently resize rectangles in InDesign to meet your layout needs.
