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MTSBob
Known Participant
March 13, 2020
Answered

Re-parent a frame into another frame?

  • March 13, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 1141 views

I've inherited a large-ish InDesign document for a newsletter that was created by a great graphic designer who unfortunately didn't understand InDesign. The problem is I am no expert either, so here's my question...

 

Throughout the document, there are text frames, populated with text. In addition, these text frames have had photos pasted right on top of them (not "placed into" them) so they are just floating objects independent of the underlying text frame. (The previous author inserted lots of white space, tabs, etc. to give the appearance/simulate that the text wrapped around the photo, which of course is now creating a ton of issues.)

 

I am trying to correct this, by somehow moving these photo frames into the parent text frame, so that I can take advantage of text wrapping, etc. I think I understand how this can be done initially when you place a new graphic, but is there a way to move an existing graphic like this "into" another frame? Re-parent it, so to speak?

 

I tried the following:

 

1) Using the Direct select tool -->Selected and "cut" the photo (not it's frame).

2) Using the Selection tool-->Selected the target text frame.

I would have expected "Paste Into" to become enabled at this point - but it's not.

 

What might I be doing wrong? Incidentally, or maybe this is a factor - the target text frame is also an InCopy assignment but I have it checked out/editable, and it is otherwise completely editable inside InDesign. The target text frame has this indicator/icon, if that's a clue:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks,

Bob

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

    If you want the images to flow with the text, you have two options:

    One:

    Select the image with the Selection tool--frame and all--and cut. Place cursor in the text and paste.

    If the image is meant to be inline with the text, I like to put the image on its own paragraph (think of the image as a single, large letter). Be sure the paragraph leading is set to Auto. Since I don't use auto leading for my type, I create a special paragraph style just for anchoring images. For special positioning, you can check your anchored object settings under the Object menu.

    Two:

    Select the image with the selection tool. Drag the blue anchor system in the upper right corner of the image to where you want it anchored in the text. Generally, I do not find this method accurate enough for proper text/image reflow, but mainly for anchoring images for flowable EPUB export. 

    2 replies

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 13, 2020

    If you want the images to flow with the text, you have two options:

    One:

    Select the image with the Selection tool--frame and all--and cut. Place cursor in the text and paste.

    If the image is meant to be inline with the text, I like to put the image on its own paragraph (think of the image as a single, large letter). Be sure the paragraph leading is set to Auto. Since I don't use auto leading for my type, I create a special paragraph style just for anchoring images. For special positioning, you can check your anchored object settings under the Object menu.

    Two:

    Select the image with the selection tool. Drag the blue anchor system in the upper right corner of the image to where you want it anchored in the text. Generally, I do not find this method accurate enough for proper text/image reflow, but mainly for anchoring images for flowable EPUB export. 

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
      M
      MTSBobAuthor
      Known Participant
      March 13, 2020

      That's also a very useful suggestion, especially for situations when one wishes to maintain the relative position of the image within the text as the text frame is moved around. Thanks very much!

      S
      SJRiegel
      Legend
      March 13, 2020

      You don't have to put the images into the text frame to enable text wrapping. Text will wrap around any image that has a text-wrap value applied.

        M
        MTSBobAuthor
        Known Participant
        March 13, 2020

        Great, thanks so much!

         

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