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The first baseline is where the first line of text sits relative to the top of its box. Paragraph Plus gives you two controls over it: an exact pixel value, or a preset measurement.

Baseline slider

A single slider that nudges the first line down from its default starting position, in pixels. Drag or type a value, or use the preset menu for common values (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, or 100px).

Baseline dropdown

A dropdown that chooses which font metric measures the gap between the top of the box and the first baseline:
OptionThe first baseline is placed so…
Ascent (default)The font’s ascent (the top of its tallest ascenders, like the “d”) touches the top of the box.
Cap HeightThe top of capital letters (like “T”) touches the top of the box.
Em BoxThe top of the font’s em box (its full design square) touches the top of the box. The standard choice for Asian (CJK) text.
LeadingThe gap equals the line’s leading value, so the first line is spaced exactly like every line after it.
Legacy MetricThe first baseline is calculated the way older versions of Adobe’s text engine did, as a backwards-compatibility option.
Min AsianThe minimum offset is used, calculated from Asian (em-box) metrics.
Min RomanThe minimum offset is used, calculated from Roman (ascent) metrics.
Typo AscentThe font’s typographic ascender metric (set by the type designer) is used instead of the rendered ascent.
X HeightThe top of lowercase letters (like “x”) touches the top of the box, so ascenders poke above the edge.
The baseline dropdown is only editable while the baseline slider above is set to 0. As soon as you set a non-zero value, it takes over and the dropdown is disabled. Set the value back to 0 to choose a different preset.