Navigating in text columns

[EinarO]

Say you are working in a text frame with two columns. And you want to start in the second column. Is there a command for placing the cursor in an empty text column?

[GarryP]

No, because there’s nothing in the column to select, but you can add a “Column Break” which should allow you to place the input cursor into the empty column.
Just out of interest, why do you want to “start in the second column”? Why not just have a single column frame placed further to the right?

[GaryLearnTech]

No menu command or keyboard shortcut, but there is a slightly different approach, if you already have text that you want to move to the next column.  Put the cursor into the paragraph you want to move and set Paragraph > Flow Options > Start > In Next Column - as shown below.  This can be included in a text paragraph style for automatic use.

[EinarO]

Thanks. I have felt a need for this many times. Like when you have a two column text frame for adding text for photos on each side. In order to get to the second column, you have to fill up the first column.

[walt.farrell]

32 minutes ago, GaryLearnTech said:

No menu command or keyboard shortcut,

Text > Insert > Breaks > Column Break (you can assign a keyboard shortcut if needed).

[GaryLearnTech]

@walt.farrell You're absolutely right, of course - but I see now I wasn't quite as clear as I had thought.  I meant that there was no shortcut available for applying the setting I pointed out.

[walt.farrell]

Ah. I can see that interpretation of your post, too, @GaryLearnTech.

[R C-R]

4 hours ago, EinarO said:

Thanks. I have felt a need for this many times. Like when you have a two column text frame for adding text for photos on each side. In order to get to the second column, you have to fill up the first column.

I am not sure I understand why, if you do not want text in the first column, you don't just create a single column text frame where you do want the text. If it is because you intend to add text later to the first column, you can just put a column break in it, as has been suggested.