Skip to main content
T
TCBill
Inspiring
November 3, 2023
Answered

Negative spacing above paragraph doesn't work

  • November 3, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 847 views

I am trying to align a Frame Above Paragraph graphic with following text as per the instructions given here: Runaround with 'Frame above paragraph' setting. The problem I'm having in Frame version 17.02 is that putting negative spacing in the Above Paragraph and Below Paragraph fields has no effect in this instance.  It does work on plain body text, however.

This is what I have: 

The graphic is in a Frame Above Paragraph setting in a paragraph style called Note and the text is in another paragraph style called NoteText. (The left margin in NoteText has been adjusted to get the proper horizontal spacing against the graphic.) I am trying to get the text and the graphic to align using negative spacing below Note and negative spacing above NoteText, but I cannot get it to work.

 

I'm pretty sure I'm missing something very obvious here, but I'm at a loss. 

 

Thanks in advance,

Bill

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Bob_Niland

    Is that 🖉 NOTE In a named frame on a Reference Page, and being invoked by Frame Above in a Body paragraph?

    And is the intent to have the banner on the same line as the Test text?
    If so, I don't think that FM feature can be tweaked to do so, and another approach will be needed.

    3 replies

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 3, 2023

    "Part of the charm!" That made me laugh out loud.

     

    I was intrigued by your logic because I have used negative spacing values in the past, just not in that particular scenario. I went ahead and keystroked to see if I could figure it out, but of course, Bob was right. It might be worth logging as a future request on tracker. It would be much easier way of handling this specific situation. (That or being able to adjust the position on frames above and below.)

     

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    T
    TCBillAuthor
    Inspiring
    November 3, 2023

    Judging by other posts I've read in this leprecaun hunt,  I think that Adobe has deprecated the negative spacing values capabilities such that now the only thing you can enter in the spacing field is a number greater than zero. I wonder why they would do that.

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 3, 2023

    My impression is that negative spacing was always a nearly-undocumented feature, with limited use cases where it would actually work, mainly Tables, and you had to put matching -#s in two places. I used it mainly to get Tables to sit on top of the {empty} anchoring paras, instead of below; very useful in two-column layouts.


    Separately, a position of Above Current Line would be broadly useful, as would Bottom of Page. Neither expected soon.

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 3, 2023

      Hi @TCBill:

       

      I would either add the image as an anchored frame, or in a 2-celll table.

      https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-framemaker-icons/

       

      ~Barb

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
        T
        TCBillAuthor
        Inspiring
        November 3, 2023

        Hi Barb,

        Thank you for the tips. Much to my chagrin, I went ahead and did the anchored frame bit. FrameMaker can be so frustrating sometimes, the way it dangles possibilities like this one but then razzes at you and says "Thank you for playing" when you try to do it.

         

        Oh well, that's part of its charm, I guess. 

        Bill

          Bob_Niland
          Community Expert
          Bob_NilandCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          November 3, 2023

          Is that 🖉 NOTE In a named frame on a Reference Page, and being invoked by Frame Above in a Body paragraph?

          And is the intent to have the banner on the same line as the Test text?
          If so, I don't think that FM feature can be tweaked to do so, and another approach will be needed.

          T
          TCBillAuthor
          Inspiring
          November 3, 2023

          Hi Bob,

          Yes to both of your opening questions and great disappointment at your conclusion. Oh well. 

          Thank you for your help!

          Bob_Niland
          Community Expert
          Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          November 3, 2023

          I used to do a lot of those admonishment banners as FrameAbove, but thanks to ⚠Unicode and FM background color, I would probably now do them as in-line text, perhaps as Variables. But if you need boxed, esp boxed with rounded corners, an SVG import might be more suitable.

          See also back forum traffic on the curious matter of Safety Colors.

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices