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palala fog
Inspiring
February 19, 2020
Question

How to left indent a 3 columns splitted text maintaining gutters?

  • February 19, 2020
  • 7 replies
  • 1109 views

The idea is indent a 3 column text that belongs to a frame.

For the moment the text is splitted in 3 columns.

 

Trying a table offers a problem as it is not possible to use columns in cells?

This topic has been closed for replies.

7 replies

L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 20, 2020

Hi Nigel,

a very cool solution! Thanks for that.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

    N
    Community Expert
    nigelfrenchCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 20, 2020

    This is possible using Span Columns.
    Set up your text frame to have 10 columns. The headline will span all columns, the body text span 3 columns. The trick is to have an empty paragraph in column 1 that is set to span a single column and for the first paragraph of the body text to have a Keep option that makes it start in the next column. 
    The diagram hopefully makes it clearer…

      Scott Falkner
      Community Expert
      Scott FalknerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 20, 2020

      Why not just add inset to the left of the text frame, as in this example?

        L
        Community Expert
        LaubenderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        February 20, 2020

        Hi Scott,

        thanks for this, then I'd suggest to combine your solution with my table so that the text in the table cell is better to reach and to edit. Below the structure of applied paragraph styles:

         

         

        Here the IDML file to download from my Dropbox account:

        https://www.dropbox.com/s/26rjdd2tag71zun/TableSolution-StandOutText-ThreeColumnTextFrame-2020.idml?dl=0

         

        Regards,
        Uwe Laubender

        ( ACP )

          Scott Falkner
          Community Expert
          Scott FalknerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          February 20, 2020

          I wasn't thinking about including the header text, which is obvious now that I look at it. Otherwise why require the indent.

           

          Perhaps a split column with added Outside Gutter. Here I used half an inch. Yes, that also adds half an inch on the right side of the text frame. Solution: Make the test frame half an inch wider.

            L
            Community Expert
            LaubenderCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 19, 2020

            A table basically is a special character that can live in its own paragraph.

            See the paragraph return after the table. Select this and do the formatting for paragraphs.

            Right aligned and span text frame columns.

             

            You could do a one cell table or a table with one column and two cells if you like.

             

            Regards,
            Uwe Laubender

            ( ACP )

            P
            palala fogAuthor
            Inspiring
            February 19, 2020

            We cannot replicate your solution. It shows a single table...

            Please, Uber, could you please explain again the steps.

            Also, is just 1 table + return + text frame?

            Or 1 table for the whole thing?

             

            Your drawing shows an extension of the table with 3 columns perfectly defined with the vertical lines.

            In our case the ttext was splitted insted of spanned as you suggested.

            Also, the rigth align is not for text... 

             

            Sorry for your time and thanks,

             

            L
            Community Expert
            LaubenderCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 19, 2020

            I see no option to do this with one text frame other than to move the headlines to a table cell.

            Just like that:

             

            The trick:

            1. Set the paragraph with the table to span all columns.

            2. Align the paragraph with the table to Align Right.

            3. Increase the width of the table and it will expand out of the text frame on the left edge.

             

            Regards,
            Uwe Laubender

            ( ACP )

             

             

              L
              Community Expert
              LaubenderCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              February 19, 2020

              Of course an anchored text frame containing both headlines would do the same.

               

              Regards,
              Uwe Laubender

              ( ACP )

              Eric Dumas
              Community Expert
              Eric DumasCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              February 19, 2020

              Hi,

              Do you mean you are trying to create a text frame with 3 columns, but the first column only has a large left indent?

              Can you confirm the version of the software and the operating system you are using.

                P
                palala fogAuthor
                Inspiring
                February 19, 2020

                Hi, yes, exactly.

                Same column width must be preserved but the whole thing indented by the left.

                 

                If the left indents is increased the 3 columns adopt the new measure. 

                 

                Thanks.

                 

                Mac Catalina 10.15.1

                Indesign 2020 / 15.0.1

                  S
                  SJRiegel
                  Legend
                  February 19, 2020

                  I don't think I understand the question. If your gutters are defined by your margin guides and layout adjustment is enabled, you should be fine.

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