PUB2000: How to Use Point Size Measurements for Tracking and Leading in Publisher (237999)

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In Publisher, leading is measured in line spaces and tracking is measured as a percentage of the font size. In some instances, you may want to format leading and tracking in points. For example, you may want to format your paragraph text in 17-point Tahoma font, with 18-point leading and 2-point tracking. It is possible to do this in Publisher. To format leading and tracking measurements in points, follow the steps in the appropriate section:

Leading

To format the leading measurement in points:

1. Select the text you want to format.
2. On the Format menu, click Line Spacing.
3. In the Between lines box, select the default value (1 sp), and then press the DELETE key.
4. Type the point size you want followed by "pt." For example, if you want to use a leading measurement of 18 points, you would type 18 pt.
5. Click OK.

Tracking

To format the tracking measurement in points, you need to use the kerning setting instead of the tracking setting in Publisher. To format the tracking measurement in points:

1. Select the text you want to format.
2. On the Format menu, click Character Spacing.
3. If the tracking value you want to enter is negative, click Condense in the box under Kerning. If the tracking value you want to enter is positive, click Expand in the box under Kerning.
4. Type the tracking point size you want followed by "pt" in the By this amount box. For example, if you want to use a tracking measurement of 2 points, you would type 2 pt.
5. Click OK.

NOTE: Kerning is not normally used to set the tracking measurement. Kerning is designed to adjust spacing between specific character pairs. However, this feature can be used in Publisher as a convenient workaround to set the tracking measurement using specific point sizes.

Glossary

Kerning: Altering the fit of certain letter combinations so that the limb of one projects over or under the body or limb of another.

Leading (rhymes with sledding): The vertical distance, negative or positive, of the baseline of one line to the baseline of the next line.

Point: A unit of measurement used to measure typefaces. There are 72 points per inch. One point equals one twelfth of a pica, which is .3515 mm or .01383 inch.

Tracking: Adjusting the letter spacing and word spacing of a range of characters by the same amount. This is in addition to any kerning adjustments made.