How to delete a text flow in F8

ChrisDC(TA) wrote: Hi there. I'm using Framemaker 8. I have many legacy documents with a small text flow B frame on every body page. It is not in the master pages. I'd like to be able to select and delete the entire text flow, (frames and contents) throughout the document, but the only way I've found to do it is: Ctrl-a to select all the text Delete, which removes all except the text in the first frame Frame properties, turn off autoconnect delete the frame on the page, turn to the next page, delete the frame... I have thousands of pages to do this to Please, someone tell me there is an easier way! Chris

One option is to delete all of the thread's text as you're doing, and delete the text remains in the first frame. The empty frames should present no problems, unless they have text runaround properties that are used to displace stuff on the body pages. To determine whether this is the case, select a Flow B text frame and use Graphics > Runaround Properties.

Another option is to create a new FrameMaker document and import the formats, including master pages. Select the entire Flow A, copy and paste it into the text frame on page 1 of the new document. Because the Flow B frames are on body pages, not masters, they will be gone from the new document.

You may need to apply particular master pages to particular body pages; first page of a chapter or unit or section, for example. You can determine which master page is applied to which body page by clicking into text on a body page, then viewing the master pages - whichever is selected is the one that's applied to that body page.

Search Google for terms like "FrameMaker import formats tutorial," "FrameMaker master pages tutorial," and "FrameMaker runaround properties tutorial," without quotes for more details.

BTW, FrameMaker 10 includes Extendscript, so no need to buy FrameScript. If there's no compelling need to upgrade FrameMaker, and these suggestions work for you, there's no need for a FrameScript solution here. However, many FrameMaker users use FrameScript for automating lots of manual chores.

HTH

Regards,

Peter

_______________________

Peter Gold

KnowHow ProServices

Chris,

Would it be enough to just delete those text frames?

As I am used to programming in FrameScript, this would be doable (if FrameMaker allows the deletion of those text frames).

Some others might recommend looking in the MIF version of the document; as far as I remember the text frames and the text flow are two different objects in the MIF file, which might or might not be a problem for that approach.

- Michael