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J
Joel Hakoune
Participating Frequently
May 19, 2019
Question

2 linked Columns in master page.

  • May 19, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 1180 views

Hi,

How do I define a master page for having 2 (or more) columns, which would be automatically linked to the same text frame on each page (on the same place on each page)?

Thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2019

When you create your document use the settings below. I assumed you wanted Facing Pages but this would work without that. You said 2 or more columns, I selected 3 columns. Notice, I turned on Facing Pages (not necessary) but also selected Primary Text Frame.

If you look at the Master Page, you'll see that the two facing pages are already linked together. A tool tip shows that you have defined a Primary Text Frame:

Click in the top left of the first page. Text will flow through all the columns and generate as many pages as you need automatically:

Here's an article I wrote about how to create and work with Primary Text Frames:

https://indesignsecrets.com/indesign-basics-primary-text-frames.php

J
Joel HakouneAuthor
Participating Frequently
May 19, 2019

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I think I didn't make myself clear enough, as this isn't what I meant. Let's say I do have 3 columns on each page. However, the first column shouldn't flow to the second column, but rather to the first column of every page. The same way, the second column should flow to the second column of every page, and the their column should flow to the third column of every page. This is what I need.

BTW, I've made some screen shots, how do I send them to the forum?

Thanks.

J
Joel HakouneAuthor
Participating Frequently
May 19, 2019

BTW, I've tried to prepare linked text frames, in this way, with the primary pages set. The result is very strange. I've made some screen shots, but again I don't know how to show them.

When I type into the first frame, and overflow it, it does go in the same text frame on the next page, as it should. However, when I do the same to the second frame, when it overflows, again, it will flow to the same frame on the second page. However, this is the issue, the text in the first frame, on the second page, at that time skips to the next (third) page! This is crazy!

The same goes when I fill the third text frame, it flows to the same frame on the second page. However, again, the text that flowed to the second page, in the second text frame, skips to the third page, and the text that already was on the first column (on the third page) skips to the first frame of the 4th page.

It sounds a bit complicated, but the point is that every time a text frame overflows, Indesign add a new page right after it, in order to continue the flowing, but it "pushes" all the following page, one page further. So, every column is on a single page.

Please help me put some order in this.

Thanks.

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