Skip to main content
September 14, 2017
Answered

An alternate layout - move all text frames

  • September 14, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 786 views

I prepared a book project for a regular A5 paper size - 148 x 210 mm. Now I was said that the size of a document should be a bit smaller 146 x 208. So I created an alternative layout successfully with a new page size.

What is the problem is that I need to have all the same text frames but moved a bit to fit properly into a new layout. I cannot have new text frames because some of them were shorter, some larger, some moved a bit on certain pages and so on. This was on many pages and irregular.

When I created a new layout, text frames are centered vertically so that there is usually 1 mm less on bottom and top from a text frame to the border of pages. I would like to change it. To have them preserve the distance from a top of a page to the text frame border and them move them manually - all at once the same distance.

As to the text frames vertically they preserve the distance "inside" but I would like to move them all 1 mm to inside.

When I change the size of the document the effect is the same.

I do not see any option to do this when creating an alternative layout.

Is there any way to move all text frames on many pages at once? I cannot move all of them, in hundreds, one by one...

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Barb Binder

For a book layout, I'd recommend using Primary Text frames on the master pages, and then flow the text into each chapter. This way, you can modify frame size and position on the master pages, and all the text reflows on the body pages.

If you didn't design your book with primary text frames and if you are using InDesign's Alternate Layout feature and then wish the frames will reflow, you need to set up liquid layout rules prior to creating the Alternate layout to get the same result.

InDesign Help | Understanding liquid layout rules

If you are past these options, you could create a new, correctly-sized document and reflow the text in the current file into the new one. Use primary frames this time, just in case something else changes. You can load styles from one file to another.

2 replies

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 14, 2017

For a book layout, I'd recommend using Primary Text frames on the master pages, and then flow the text into each chapter. This way, you can modify frame size and position on the master pages, and all the text reflows on the body pages.

If you didn't design your book with primary text frames and if you are using InDesign's Alternate Layout feature and then wish the frames will reflow, you need to set up liquid layout rules prior to creating the Alternate layout to get the same result.

InDesign Help | Understanding liquid layout rules

If you are past these options, you could create a new, correctly-sized document and reflow the text in the current file into the new one. Use primary frames this time, just in case something else changes. You can load styles from one file to another.

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
amaarora
Inspiring
September 14, 2017

Hi,

Did you check out the liquid layout "rule" setting?

Check out the "Object based" rule here: Liquid and alternate layouts in InDesign

-Aman

September 14, 2017

This does not help because I would need to select all frames separately and they cannot be moved to the left or right by a set length such as 1 or 2 mm when a new layout is created.

September 14, 2017

I cannot also reflow the text as frames in my document have different sizes and when I reflow the text all frames will have the same size.