How to Adjust Kerning and Tracking in CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW offers robust typography tools to refine the appearance and readability of your text. This guide explains the differences between kerning and tracking, followed by step-by-step instructions on how to adjust both settings using the Shape Tool, the Properties docker, and keyboard shortcuts.

Tracking vs. Kerning: The Difference

  • Tracking adjusts the uniform spacing across an entire string of text, a sentence, or a full paragraph.
  • Kerning adjusts the specific spacing between two individual characters to correct visually awkward gaps (such as between "A" and "V").

How to Adjust Tracking (Overall Spacing)

You can adjust tracking interactively on the canvas or numerically through the Properties docker.

Method 1: Using the Shape Tool (Interactive)

  1. Select the text object with the Pick Tool.
  2. Select the Shape Tool from the toolbox (or press F10).
  3. Look at the bottom of the text block for two icons:
    • The icon on the bottom right (with horizontal arrows pointing outward) controls horizontal spacing.
  4. Click and drag the bottom-right arrow handle to the right to increase tracking, or drag it to the left to decrease tracking.
  5. Tip: Hold Shift while dragging this handle to adjust word spacing instead of individual character spacing.

Method 2: Using the Properties Docker (Precise Values)

  1. Select your text using the Pick Tool or Text Tool.
  2. Open the Properties docker by pressing Ctrl + T (or go to Window > Dockers > Properties).
  3. Switch to the Paragraph section inside the docker.
  4. Locate the Spacing category and find Character Spacing.
  5. Enter a percentage value (100% is default) or use the up/down arrows to expand or contract the spacing across the selected text.

How to Adjust Kerning (Pair Spacing)

Kerning is essential for display text, headlines, and logos where automatic spacing leaves awkward gaps.

Method 1: Using the Shape Tool on Individual Characters

  1. Select the text block, then activate the Shape Tool (F10).
  2. Each character will display a small white node at its bottom-left corner.
  3. Click the node of the character you want to move.
  4. Drag the character manually to the left or right, or use the Left/Right Arrow keys on your keyboard to nudge the character into the desired position.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

  1. Select the Text Tool (F8).
  2. Click to place your text cursor between the two characters you want to kern.
  3. Hold Ctrl + Alt and press the Left Arrow key to decrease the space, or the Right Arrow key to increase the space.

Method 3: Using the Properties Docker

  1. Activate the Text Tool (F8) and highlight the specific character you want to shift.
  2. Open the Properties docker (Ctrl + T) and go to the Character section.
  3. Expand the typography options to reveal the Character Shift settings.
  4. Adjust the Horizontal Character Shift value to move the selected letter closer to or farther from adjacent characters.