Auto-flowing text

[AnthonyMarrian]

I've discovered that my project can't be printed because I set it up with the Facing Pages option deselected. I've restarted, using Facing Pages. However, I've run into a problem that I haven't yet found an answer to in my internet searches. The first page gets added as a right hand page. All additional pages get added as spreads. When I add text to the first page, I would expect the text automatically to flow from page 1 to page 2, then 3 etc. However, what happens is that the text fills up the first frame and then continues downwards outside the frame.  If I click on the frame's autoflow icon, using the shift key (or alt key??), then only right hand pages get populated. If I ignore the first page, and start adding text from page 2 (a left hand page), then only left hand pages get populated. Please could I have some guidance vas to how to flow text from page 1 to page 2 to page 3 etc.

Many thanks

[MikeTO]

Hi Anthony.  With a facing pages document, the key to AutoFlow is to draw your text frames on the master page and link the frame from the left side to the right side. Once you've done this, AutoFlow will work as you expect and not as it's working now.

BTW you didn't need to start over, you could have used Document Setup to change the document to facing pages. Then you could have used Spread Setup to modify the master page to make it facing pages. You would likely then have had to re-apply the master to all of the pages.

Good luck

[AnthonyMarrian]

Oh, my goodness, so simple. Thank you so much. Thanks also for the tip about document setup. As there are a number of changes, including new margins, different master pages etc, I just felt I'd have more control if I started afresh. As usual, your help is invaluable.

[Old Bruce]

@AnthonyMarrian,

In addition to MikeTO's advice I would like to add that you should Name all the objects on your master page(s) with descriptive and unique names. For example Text left, Text right, Page Number left, Page Number right, Picture frame portrait, Picture frame landscape, etc.

The reasons for doing so are arcane but this will prevent strange things from happening if you use and apply many different master pages. Your text in the Text left Text frame will retain its position in a newly applied master page's Text left Text Frame. That newly applied Text Frame could be a completely different size in a new location but the text will flow properly.

[AnthonyMarrian]

Thank you Old Bruce. I have named as instructed. If I understand correctly, the flow of text will follow the name of the object even if that object differs from master page to master page.

[Old Bruce]

10 hours ago, AnthonyMarrian said:

If I understand correctly, the flow of text will follow the name of the object even if that object differs from master page to master page.

Correct.