Anchored frame not showing and can't type in a caption

[mcclatcheyj]

I am new to FrameMaker but have worked in InDesign. I added three images in an existing FM book and want to add captions that will be numbered in sync with the rest of the captions in the document.

I tried adding an anchor frame. According to the directions, once I create one, I can click in and type the caption. But nothing happens when I click into it. Meaning it's not there. I've been trying to figure this out all day to no avail. Sometimes in the anchor initiation screen it has the new anchor button and sometimes the edit anchor button. Sometimes it's greyed out sometimes not.

I tried creating a caption without the anchor and a bunch of other work arounds with no luck. Any ideas out there?

Thanks,

Julianna

[Bob_Niland]

Search the forum on [ framemaker caption ] for a useful amount of back traffic.

It's a topic on which FM is frankly weak, starting with lacking Above Para as an anchoring option.

Also Graphics Text in AFs is unsuitable, as no formal styles can be applied, nor auto-number, variables, Xrefs.

A Text Frame in the AF is often the solution.

[QuintinSeegers]

Hi @mcclatcheyj 

We achieve this by using a 1 Cell/1 Row table with the Title set to Below Table:

(I'm showing the borders to show where the table cells are). 

In the cell where the image appears, we use a Paragaph Style with the Font Size set to 2pt. It won't contain any text - it's just to serve as an anchor place for the Anchored Frame containing the image.

In the table heading, we use a Paragraph Style for the captions. To number the captions, you can use the Numbering in the Paragraph Designer to set your format:

Barb Binder has some excellent tips on her website for setting up numbering in FrameMaker: https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/page/2/?s=numbering . She also covered Numbering and working with Anchored Frames in two of the sessions in the FrameMaker Essentials webinar series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJL3v-Ayk9rR3MoHoCt_vDpqMCj3f_DvM .

[Winfried Reng]

I also use one cell tables for my images. This is very versatile and reliable!

You could also use a regular paragraph after your anchored frame for the caption.

Generally:

• I recommend to select the image (or anything else inside the anchored frame or the anchored frame) and press ESC, then m and then p. This sets the anchoring position of the anchored frame to Insertion Point and shrinks the anchored frame to its content.
• Use an empty paragraph for your anchor (anchored frame or table).
• When you do not want that the paragraph with only the table anchor creates empty space, then set the table margins top to a negative value, e.g. -12 pt, and for the paragraph with the table anchor the spacing below paragraph to the same negative value. Then the table moves on top of the paragraph with the anchor.
• You can use any font size for the paragraph with the anchored frame when you use Insertion Point. With your regular font size of e.g. 9 pt you will notice the anchor better.

Best regards, Winfried

[mcclatcheyj]

I appreciate all the responses but I think I'm in over my head. I created a once cell/row table and imported the image (of a table) into it. The image is scrunched, and I can't drag it out to show the whole thing. And, I can't click into what appears to be an area where I can add the caption. All of my other images in the document are already captioned the regular way and work fine. I wish Adobe offered phone or video support. 

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

If your other images and captions are already working, why are you changing the way they are done? Your intial post led everyone to think that you were setting it up from scratch.

[mcclatcheyj]

 Hi Jeff,

I apologize for any confusion, but in my initial question, I did say, "I added three images in an existing FM book and want to add captions that will be numbered in sync with the rest of the captions in the document." I was updating an existing document and imported three images in the middle of it. But when I added an Anchor Frame there was nowhere to click into it to add a caption. I have an appendix  with a drawing list that updates automatically, so when I tried manual options, it didn't update correctly.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

I would have copied the last "working" image bit and pasted it in the new location, then subbed in the new image & updated to see if it worked. maybe if you post a screenshot (with the text symbols turned on) we can figure out how it was being done before.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Can you upload a sample file demonstrating the problem?

[frameexpert]

I can meet with you to provide some help. Please contact me offlist:

rick at frameexpert dot com

There will be no cost for the meeting.

[mcclatcheyj]

Hi Rick,

I emailed you last Friday at 8:38 a.m. Can you confirm that you received it?

Thanks,

Julianna

[frameexpert]

I didn't receive your email. Can you try rickquatro at gmail dot com?

[mcclatcheyj]

Just sent you an email Rick.

[Barb Binder]

Hi Juliana:

LIke you, I use both applications. They have some commonalities but the workflow is quite different. If you have a "here's what I did in InDesign, where is that in FrameMaker" question, I can help.

Back to this question, I have a webinar on using anchored frames that you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=cmMxRCHlOK4. The first part is on using tables, so using anchored frames begins at about minute 19. I address how to handle captions in the flow (think InDesign story) and then get to the image/caption in a table towards the end. See if that if helpful, and of course, you can come back as ask us questions. 

As I have said many times on this forum, FrameMaker isn't hard to use, but it is hard to teach yourself. You might find it best to pause, attend a training class that explains the fundamentals and then return to your project. 

~Barb

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

Did you find the answer to your problem? If not, post a screenshot showing borders and text symbols of an existing graphic with a working caption.

Details about the paragraph style used, and whether it's in a table or frame will be easier to troubleshoot with a picture of the issue.

-Matt