Can primary text frame flow back and forth between facing pages?

[susieh23310975]

Hi there,

I'm trying to create a calendar using master pages on indesign. When I set up the primary text frame on the master page, the threading works how I want it to, moving between text boxes on the two pages. 

When I add pages controlled by the master, the threading automatically changes so that the text flows from one page to the next.

Here's what it looks like: 

On the master pageWhen inserted into document

Is there something I'm doing wrong, or is this not something that indesign can do?

Thank you!

[rob day · Accepted solution]

There can only be one Primary Text Frame per page.

The primary text frame usage is for cases where there is a single primary text flow from page to page, and the pages have different masters applied.

[susieh23310975]

Thank you!

[Laubender]

Hi,

it requires some effort, but you can do this with a different approach:

On master A use a single rotated and flipped Primary Text Frame with 6 columns.

Do a second master B with a frame with text wrap for the area where the Notes should go.

Important:

[1] On every even document page master, left of the spine, Master A should be applied.

[2] On every odd document page master, right of the spine, Master B should be applied.

[3] Prepare this before floating the Primary Text Frame with contents.

[4] Before you anchor your contents you have to flip and rotate it as well.

Some screenshots from my German InDesign 2020 below.

Primary Text Frame on Master A:

Master B with a frame with text wrap applied for the Notes:

Document pages with some contents. Not anchored objects are showing at the top of the pages, also the frame for the gap.

Also showing the Story Editor Window with the anchored frames:

Before you flow in more contents make sure that all pages right from the spine have Master B applied, all others Master A:

Finally all the contents is in and flowing from even page to even page:

There are some tricks to avoid spaces between the anchored objects in the story and to get the gap at the spine:

The paragraph that holds the frames should be set to the smallest possible point size: 0.1 Pt

For the gap at the spine you need another empty frame, also anchored, after every fourth anchored frame and then after the seventh frame for a day. I tried text wrap at the spine, but was not very successful.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )