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Known Participant
March 4, 2020
Answered

Adjusting auto column rules

  • March 4, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 900 views

I have a sidebar box set to two columns, with labels over two sections set to span the two columns. I've applied column rules between the two columns. What I can't figure out how to do: Shorten the column rule in the top section to the exact depth of the type in that section. As you can see in the screengrab, the rule works nicely in the bottom section but the top one extends beyond the guide showing the descender mark. Any way to fix this? I've tried adjusting and turning off Space Above and Below, the leading, and the controls in the Text Options dialogue box itself, but I'm missing something.

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Correct answer Laubender

Hi master_mo,

changing the rule's end will not help here. Because that only affects the rule at the bottom of the text frame. Not the rule's length above the second headline that spans columns.

 

One could use a graphic frame ( no fill, no stroke ) with text wrap enabled and positioned above the rule:

 

 

FWIW: This new features needs a lot of enhancements and more controls.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

2 replies

LaubenderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 4, 2020

Hi master_mo,

changing the rule's end will not help here. Because that only affects the rule at the bottom of the text frame. Not the rule's length above the second headline that spans columns.

 

One could use a graphic frame ( no fill, no stroke ) with text wrap enabled and positioned above the rule:

 

 

FWIW: This new features needs a lot of enhancements and more controls.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

Participant
June 26, 2024

I also have an issue with this functionality.
When I apply a column transposition in a frame configured for 3 columns, transposing only two, a trace of thread remains at the end of the transposed columns. I've been looking for a way to resolve this issue but I still don't have an alternative other than this trick shown by Laubender above.

@mj
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 4, 2020

Hi,

 

Setting a negative rule length end value should do the trick.

 

This resource explains how. https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/set-column-rules.html

 

hth