Css code to indent first paragraph?

[shootist]

With the help of some I figured out my problem with the oversize first letter of each chapter, however when I resize the letter there is no indention for the first paragraph. Can anyone advise me the code to make an indention for that paragraph?

[JSWolf]

Normally, the first paragraph of a chapter or first paragraph after a section break isn't indented. if this is what's happening, then just leave it be.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by shootist

With the help of some I figured out my problem with the oversize first letter of each chapter, however when I resize the letter there is no indention for the first paragraph. Can anyone advise me the code to make an indention for that paragraph?

@shootist - if my memory serves me right, you convert Word DOCX to EPUB, if so, do it in there via a Word Style and calibre will honor it.

But as JSWolf says its traditional to not indent the first paragraph in a chapter or scene - not sure what the rational for that is. I suspect it harks back to the likes of King Ælfred the Great writing illuminated manuscripts on vellum

BR

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

But as JSWolf says its traditional to not indent the first paragraph in a chapter or scene - not sure what the rational for that is. I suspect it harks back to the likes of King Ælfred the Great writing illuminated manuscripts on vellum

BR

From what I suspect, it stems from wanting to show that you are at a new chapter or section. To me, it just looks odd with indents where we would normally have no indents.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by shootist

With the help of some I figured out my problem with the oversize first letter of each chapter, however when I resize the letter there is no indention for the first paragraph. Can anyone advise me the code to make an indention for that paragraph?

When the first letter receives special treatment (big or Drop), it is usually NOT indented

Another visual treatment is to use a Larger Left Margin and do a Hanging Indent (text-indent: -2em; )

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by theducks

Another visual treatment is to use a Larger Left Margin and do a Hanging Indent (text-indent: -2em; )

But that does look awful.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But that does look awful.

Technique not Critique

[phossler]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

But as JSWolf says its traditional to not indent the first paragraph in a chapter or scene - not sure what the rational for that is. I suspect it harks back to the likes of King Ælfred the Great writing illuminated manuscripts on vellum

He was before my time, but I was taught that paragraphs should be styled either with an (a) indent, OR (b) a line before, but not both. Since the first paragraph has a header or break before it, I always assumed that counted as a line before (b) so it didn't get an indent (a).

For my personal reading, I use a line before for every paragraph since I find it easier to read that way.

[Sam Sahara]

Originally Posted by shootist

With the help of some I figured out my problem with the oversize first letter of each chapter, however when I resize the letter there is no indention for the first paragraph. Can anyone advise me the code to make an indention for that paragraph?

If you are speaking about drop-caps this article can be useful.

[shootist]

Can anyone post the code to change the size of the first letter that in the dropcaps?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by shootist

Can anyone post the code to change the size of the first letter that in the dropcaps?

The problem with drop caps is it doesn't work well if the font size is changed, the line height is changed, and/or the font is changed. So it's best to not use drop caps. A larger cap is best for the first paragraph of the chapter.

[Thom*]

The size of the first letter in a paragraph is probably controled by a CSS file. In the CSS file you would find something like:

span.dropcaps
{
float: left;
font-size: 100px;
line-height: 100px;
padding-top: 1px;
margin-top: -.10em;
margin-right: .09em;
color: #5E5E5E;
}

Then the first character in each paragraph is coded something like this:

<span class="dropcaps">W</span>

"Dropcaps" is the class name and it could be something else. Whatever is in the <span> statement is what you are looking for.

You can change the size of the first letter by changing the class in the CSS file. For example, to reduce the size from 100 pixels to 50 pixels change the CSS file to look like this:

span.dropcaps
{
float: left;
font-size: 50px;
line-height: 50px;
padding-top: 1px;
margin-top: -.10em;
margin-right: .09em;
color: #5E5E5E;
}

That will effectively change the size of all letter surrounded by <span class="dropcaps">Whatever</span>.

An alternative is to eliminate the "dropcaps" altogether resulting in a font size that is normal for the paragraph. This can be accomplished with a Regex search and replace:

Search: <span class="dropcaps">(.*?)</span>
Replace: \1

Actually, I would change that search to <span class="dropcaps">(((?!<span).)*?)</span> just in case there exist nested spans in you book.

I hope that helps.

Merry Christmas

[shootist]

Thanks guys. I took the suggestion to eliminate drop caps altogether. That is much better.

[JSWolf]

Something like this works well...

.firstletter {
font-size: 2em;
line-height: 0
}

[Notjohn]

Originally Posted by shootist

Thanks guys. I took the suggestion to eliminate drop caps altogether. That is much better.

Very wise (IMHO).

I use boldface caps at 90% for the first several words. Looks great (IMHO).

span.smallcap {
font-size: 90%;
font-weight: bold;
}