Flux Consulting can help you make the transition to Adobe InDesign. We provide all the software training, template conversion and support you need to help you make the switch with ease. Below are some sample tips and keyboard shortcuts for Adobe InDesign..

Adobe InDesign CS4 Tips & Tricks!
GRAPHICS/IMAGES

To toggle between selecting a graphic frame and the image: Double-click the image with the Selection tool.
To fit the frame to the picture: Double-click a frame corner (or Cmd-Opt-C / Ctrl-Alt-C.) This also works with text frames.

Placing multiple images:
Choose File>Place. Select one or more images to place. Your cursor will show a thumbnail of the first image. Click on the page to place one image at a time.

Options:
-When the cursor is still loaded with multiple images, press the left or right arrow key to cycle through the images.
- Press Esc to delete an image without placing it.
-To place all the graphics in a grid of frames, Command+Shift-click (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift-click (PC) and drag to create the grid.
Replacing an existing image:
Choose File> Place to select an image. Then Option (Mac) or Alt (PC) click on an existing image on the laout you'd like to replace with the new one.
SELECTING TOOLS

-To switch to the Selection tool, press the "V" key.

-When you're in the Text tool, switch to the Selection tool by pressing the "Esc" key. To switch from a text frame back to the Selection tool, press the Esc. key on your keyboard.

-When you're in the Selection tool and you want to switch to the Text tool, press the "T" key, or double-click a text frame.

-Click on ANY empty frame with the Text tool to convert it to a text frame.(For example, draw an oval graphic frame and then click on it with the Text tool to convert it to an oval-shaped text frame.)
EFFECTS

Apply an effect from one object to another: Select the object that has the formatting you want. Then, drag the “FX” icon from the Effects panel onto the object that you want to format.

To clear all effects from an object: Choose “Clear Effects” from the Effects popup in the Control Panel.
To assign a keyboard shortcut to this command, go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts and create a new set. Then select "Panel Menus" from the Product Area. Locate "Effects: Clear Effects" and assign a shortcut.
SWATCHES/GRADIENTS
Click and drag swatches from the Swatches panel to the gradient ramp in the Gradient Panel.
PAGES pANEL

-Copy document pages from one document to another by selecting a range of pages in the Pages Panel and then dragging them on top of another document.

-Copy master pages from one document to another by selecting the master page name and dragging it on top of another document.
BULLETS & NUMBERING
To convert a bulleted or numbered list to tabbed text: Highlight a bulleted or numbered list, then control (or right-click) the list and choose "Convert bullets/numbering to text."
Adobe InDesign CS4 Keyboard Shortcuts
 
Mac
PC
GENERAL/NAVIGATION

Switch between open documents

 Command-tilde or Command-F6 Control-tilde or Control-F6

Hide/Show all palettes/panels

 Press Tab

Expand/Collapse Panel Stack

 Command-Option-Tab Control-Alt-Tab

Zoom to Actual Size

Command-1 Control-1

Zoom to Fit Page in Window

Command-0 Control-0
Center a spread using the Pages Palette Double-click the page numbers underneath the page icons
Fit a selected object in the window Command-Option-+ Control-Alt-+
Sort all menus alphabetically Press Command-Option-Shift and select a menu Press Control-Alt-Shift and select a menu
GUIDES & GRIDS
   

Select all ruler guides on a page or spread

Command-Option-G Control-Alt-G

Draw both a vertical and horizontal ruler guide simultaneously

 Command-drag from the zero guides onto the page Control-drag from the zero guides onto the page
Snap a ruler guide to a tickmark on the ruler Hold down Shift while drawing a guide
Lock selected text to the baseline grid Command-Opt-Shift-G Control-Alt-Shift-G
WORKING WITH OBJECTS
   
Draw a perfect square or circle Hold down Shift while drawing shape
Draw a shape from the center Hold down Option while drawing shape Hold down Alt while drawing shape
Increase/decrease star inset on a polygon while drawing Press the left or right arrow key while still drawing with the mouse.
Increase/decrease points on a polygon while drawing Press the up or down arrow key while still drawing with the mouse.

Reposition an object while still drawing it

 Hold down the spacebar and drag while drawing the object Hold down the spacebar and drag while drawing the object
Select an object that is beneath another object or stack of objects Command-click the stack of objects until the one you want is selected Control-click the stack of objects until the one you want is selected

Unlock a master page object on a document page

Command-Shift-click the object Control-Shift-click the object
CONTROL PALETTE
   
To open a dialog window to for typing specifications (or to highlight the field) Option-click any icon in the Control Palette Alt-click any icon in the Control Palette
WORKING WITH TEXT
   
Select one line of text Command-Shift-\ Control-Shift-\
Select all text from the insertion point down
 Click the insertion point, then select Command-Shift-End Click the insertion point, then select Control-Shift-End
Convert a graphic frame into a text frame Double-click an empty frame with the text tool
MISC.

Copy a page or spread from one InDesign document to another.
Open both documents. In the pages palette, select the icon of the page or spread you want to copy. Drag the icon to the other document window. The page/spread is added to the end of the document.

View the history of an InDesign document.
 Press Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) and choose InDesign> About InDesign. This displays a document history, listing all information related to the creation, conversion, synchronization, and Save history of the document.

Make your own placeholder text.
 Open a text document (in Microsoft Word, for example) that contains the text you want to use as placeholder text. Save the file as untagged text. (In Word, untagged text is called "Text Only"). Name the file "placeholder.txt" (no quotes.) Save the file into the Adobe InDesign CS2 folder on your hard drive. To use the placeholder text, launch InDesign and draw a text frame. Choose Type>Fill With Placeholder Text. Voila!
EASTER EGGS!

Rainbow stripe
1. In the Stroke Palette, choose Stroke Styles from the popup menu.
2. Select 'New'
3. Select Stripe for line type
4. Name the stripe "Rainbow"
5. Choose OK and see the rainbow-colored stripe!

Feet Dash
1. In the Stroke Palette, choose Stroke Styles from the popup menu.
2. Select 'New'
3. Select Dash for line type
4. Name the stripe "Feet"
5. Choose OK and see the little feet dash!

Smiley Face
1. In the Stroke Palette, choose Stroke Styles from the popup menu.
2. Select 'New'
3. Select Dash for line type
4. Name the stripe "Happy"
5. Choose OK and see the little smiley face dash!

Puppy Paws
1. In the Stroke Palette, choose Stroke Styles from the popup menu.
2. Select 'New'
3. Select Dash for line type
4. Name the stripe "Woof"
5. Choose OK and see the little paws dash!

Do you miss the butterfly icon from InDesign CS2? Here's a little easter egg that will bring the butterflies to InDesign CS4!:
-Choose InDesign>About InDesign and then type the word “butterfly.”Cmd-click the butterflies to pin them in place. Cmd-click again to release them. Opt-click to knock them down.