How do I link text boxes across multiple pages

Question

I’m working on a multi-page document in InDesign and need to link text boxes across several pages so the text flows automatically as I add or edit content. Could someone explain the process for creating linked text frames and any tips for managing large amounts of text efficiently? Are there shortcuts or tools to streamline this workflow? Thanks in advance!

Eugene Tyson · Accepted Answer

Hi Johnny,

Adding to what Robert and Barb have already said, here's a quick step-by-step guide for linking text boxes across pages in InDesign:

Create a text frame: I typically have 1 Text Frame per page - and then you style your text into the format for the page - whether that Text Frame is 1 column, 2, 3 etc is up to you.

Link the frames: Click on the small square at the bottom-right corner of the first text frame (called the "out port"). Your cursor will change to a loaded text cursor. Then click on the next frame where you want the text to flow. Repeat this process for all subsequent frames.

You could put the Text Frame on the Parent Page and use the Reflow Story in the preferences
More here https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/threading-text.html
Remember best practice - 1 text frame per page

Autoflowing text: If you're importing text from an external document (e.g., Word), use File > Place to load the text. Hold the Shift key while clicking into the first frame, and InDesign will automatically create and link additional pages and frames as needed. Click near your margin in the top left and it will create a text frame on all pages in the same position sized to the margins.

Tips for managing large text-heavy projects:

Styles are key: As Barb mentioned, define and use Paragraph Styles and Character Styles. They’re lifesavers for keeping formatting consistent and for making global changes quickly.
https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/paragraph-character-styles.html
Parent pages: If your document has repeating elements (like headers, footers, or page numbers), set those up on a Parent Page. This helps keep things organised and consistent.
https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/parent-pages.html#:~:text=A%20parent%20page%20(previously%20known,surrounded%20by%20a%20dotted%20border.
Text frame options: You can adjust how text frames behave by going to Object > Text Frame Options (Cmd+B/Ctrl+B). For example, enable "Columns" to change frames columns and gutters.
https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/creating-text-text-frames.html

Barb Binder · Answer

Hi Johnny:

Most users continue working in Microsoft Word for typing and editing. Those folks create a multi-page Word file, save it, and then use File > Place to import the Word doc into InDesign. If you hold the Shift key while clicking at the top of page 1 with the loaded text cursor, InDesign will auto-flow the Word document onto the InDesign pages, threading the text frames it creates for you and even adding extra pages at the end if you don't have enough to hold the entire file. Now when you edit, the content will flow between the threaded frames.

As for best practices for managing large amounts of text efficiently. The most important one is to define styles. Paragraph styles and character styles so that you can easily control the formatting throughout the entire document.

I'm italicizing some terms you might need to read up on if you aren't familiar with them. It looks like Robert provided some links on threading frames to get you started.

~Barb

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