Can you connect differently tagged text frames?

[tkelly5446]

I have a one file document (no book) that I would like to have two columns on the first page and the Left/Right pages have one column with a side head. I would like the right column on the first page to flow into the second page.

Is there a way to connect differently tagged text frames together so that, although their appearances are different, the text flows from one to the other?

Thanks,

Tim

[Van Kurtz]

I am assuming the LEFT column on the first page does not flow into anything.

On the first page, create two text frames that look like two aligned columns separated by some space. Give the left text frame and flow name and the right frame a DIFFERENT flow name.

On the subsequent left/right pages, create your text frame with one column and a side head and give it the SAME name as you did the right column on the first page.

This may do what you want.

[tkelly5446]

Yes the left column does not flow into anything and is fine.

When I do what you describe, the Right column doesn't flow into the next page (even though they're both tagged A), it just goes off the page.

If I then connect the Right column with the Left/Right pages so that the text flows, it changes the format of the the Left/Right pages to match the Right column.

[Van Kurtz]

I did a little testing and it does work. Open the object properties of the text frame for the right column on the first page. The autoconnect checkbox should be CHECKED. Also the text frames on the right/left, one-column pages should also have this checkbox CHECKED. This tells FrameMaker to connect these frame automatically. The text frame for the left column on the first page should have this checkbox UNCHECKED, so that it does not try to flow the text into some other text frame.

[tkelly5446]

Hmmm... It seems to get me part way there.

I did as you suggested and at first blush, everything looked right. But when the text from the right column on the first page flowed into the second page, the formatting of the second page changed to match the right column (no sidehead). I tried it again and this time, tried to backspace from the second page to the right column on the first page and it won't go. So while they are tagged the same, I don't think they are actually connected so that text flows back and forth. After that, I connected the text frames but then they both either have a sidehead or don't, they don't keep their individual formatting.

[Van Kurtz]

My guess is that the side head feature applies to the entire flow, not each text frame individually.

You might try cheating. On the master pages, make the right column on the first page wide enough (expand to the left) to accommodate the side head that you want on the subsequent left/right pages. Then select the left column on the first page and bring it to the front (Graphics > Bring to Front); this places the left column text frame on top of the right column text frame.

Now you have to do due diligence and make sure NONE of the paragraphs on the first page, in the right column, have side heads. Because there are no side heads, nothing is displayed in the side area, which is covered by the left column. Hence, nothing is hidden.

[tkelly5446]

Hi Van,

Yeah, I'm thinking I can't do this straightforward and will probably use your suggested work around. Thanks for your time.

Tim

[peter minneapolis]

tkelly5446 wrote:

I have a one file document (no book) that I would like to have two columns on the first page and the Left/Right pages have one column with a side head. I would like the right column on the first page to flow into the second page.

Is there a way to connect differently tagged text frames together so that, although their appearances are different, the text flows from one to the other?

Thanks,

Tim

You can manually connect text frames on body pages, or on master pages, that have the same flow tag. Search Google for "framemaker connect text frames" without quotes.

For the text to flow automatically from one body-page text frame to a body-page text frame on another, and create new pages as needed, the text frames need to be on master pages, have the Autoconnect property turned on, and be in the same text flow. FrameMaker only applies Left and Right master pages (you get them if your document is set for facing page.) To apply custom master pages instead of Left and Right, you need to set up a mapping table on a reference page for use with the Apply Master Pages feature. Search Google for "framemaker apply master pages mapping table" without quotes.

HTH

Regards,

Peter

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Peter Gold

KnowHow ProServices

[tkelly5446]

Hello,

Turns out, all I had to do was set the sidehead width and gap to 0 for the Right column on the first page and it looks and flows like I want.

[Van Kurtz]

Thanks Tim.

That is interesting. I guess Frame considers the side head width to be a frame property, as it does the frame width itself, instead of a flow property.

Good thing to know.