How to split up one shape into several shapes with text in

Here is another way that uses live type (Illustrator CC format, ca. 100 kb).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k_4OWCbZeHYnWkCYIQgU8AWNHnHlQ6ri/view?usp=sharing

You can change the gutters with the Area Type options dialog and additionaly fine-tune the construction with the Text Wrap options. 

If you are done with the live type, you may do a Flatten Transparency command (see Object menu) or just convert the type to paths in order to finally separate the portions.

Kasper,

Here is a hurried belated answer (delayed by urgencies).

As I (mis)understand it, you wish to have the names fit a paned window, with the text within an overall (letter) shape spanning the panes, with one continuous consistent text flow througout all lines (so that any change in one line will change the following lines by reflow), and crucially with each line of text flowing across the panes but jumping from one pane to the next so no letter is cut or (partially) missing.

I am afraid that high quality of this will require a careful adaptation, in a customized way, probably iterative.

You could consider something like this (or something less silly), description based upon the screenshot of the R within 3 x 3 panes:

Basis:
0) Start out with the R filled with live Type;

Adaptation:
1) Create a representation of (a sufficient part of) the glazing bars (or whatever you have separating the panes and carrying no text) in the form of one fill/nostroke Compound path with the relevant panes as counters/holes on top of the R, roughly centred:

2) Adapt the size of the R to fit the height as desired, the R should extend from the top of the 1st row of panes to the bottom of the the 3rd row of panes, so across 3 panes and 2 separators; this will probably give a reflow;
3) Adapt the size of the Type size so that a whole number of lines fit within the height of the 1st row of panes; this will probably give a reflow;

Destruction, save the above and work on a copy (set):
4) Place a copy of the separator path from 1) on top of the an empty/textless copy of the adapted R from 2) and Pathfinder>Minus Front, see link below, then Ungroup and possibly rearrange stacking order from top left to top right ending at bottom right;
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/user-guide.html/illustrator/using/cutting-dividing-objects.ug.html

5) Divide each path into a row of paths corresponding to the number of Type lines in each pane, you can use a number of lines and Divide Object Below, see link above, and possibly rearrange stacking order from top left to top right ending at bottom right;
6) Insert the Type into the top left path and Use the Threading text between objects, see link below;
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/user-guide.html/illustrator/using/creating-text.ug.html#threading_text_between_objects

7) Enjoy or iterate or try something less silly.

If you want to keep the geometry of the text flow, you can do follow:

1. Create your shape and fill by text like you wish

2. Draw the needed external shapes

3. Use Pathfinder > Unite to unite the shapes and Object > Compound Path > Make to combine them into the single shape.

4. Put the new shape above the texted one and create Clipping Mask (Ctrl/Cmd+7).

5. Adjust the print tiling as you need.

Which version of Illustrator are you using?

It can be done with various pathfinder operations, but I would probably do it with some transparency interactions, followed by flattening the transparency and some clean-up efforts to separate the desired blocks (using the Select menu > Same > Fill Colour commands).

Depends on how you want your type as Eric Dumas mentioned in the thread.

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Is the type live or outlined? You can make all the new shapes into Area text and then select them and from the Type menu select Thread Text. When you paste the type into the first shape it will flow into the others in order.

I would test:

- option 1: rasterise and cut

- option 2: outline the text first, then cut

It depends what you want to do with your artwork. Can you share more details.