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Participating Frequently
May 3, 2017
Answered

Cannot Add Text or Text Frame on Top of Photo

  • May 3, 2017
  • 7 replies
  • 14499 views

I've already created numerous pages that contain photos and I've added text frames/text/quotes on top of those photos.

I'm on the last 2 pages before this particular inDesign magazine template is complete and all of a sudden I'm unable to drag and create a text frame.

Actually, I can drag a text frame using the text tool, but the minute I let go of it, the 'frame' disappears and there is no 'l' marker left that shows where text would begin.

I've read everything I can find in the Adobe inDesign forum and I can NOT figure this out.

I go back to previously designed pages that I've placed photos and quotes on and even pages that i chose not to customize/use in this particular magazine template I'm using and I can drag/create text boxes all day long.

Any assistance with the above would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Derek Cross

Try this, select the text you want to put on top of the image then: Object > Text Frame Options and tick Ignore Text Wrap.

7 replies

shalone
Participant
November 29, 2019

Thanks so much. This worked perfectly!

Participating Frequently
May 4, 2017

Thank you to everyone who responded.

Derek? Your response was the fix I needed! Thank You so much.

Eternal Warrior
Inspiring
May 3, 2017

Also could you show us a screenshot of your layers panel please?

Participating Frequently
May 3, 2017

You all are so awesome! What a great community.

I'm running out the door for work but the minute I get home I'm going to attempt to implement every fix you guys have offered.

Again. Amazed by the helpfulness of you all.

I will touch base tonight after one of the above fixes works. Positive thinking! I'm so excited! Thank you all again!  

Eternal Warrior
Inspiring
May 3, 2017

What view mode are you using in InDesign? If on Preview mode you will not be able to see empty text boxes or frames:

Legend
May 3, 2017

Any chance the text frame is behind the image frame? It could be stacking on one layer, or the image might be on a higher layer.

amaarora
Community Manager
Community Manager
May 3, 2017

Hi,

debrak83466088  wrote

Actually, I can drag a text frame using the text tool, but the minute I let go of it, the 'frame' disappears and there is no 'l' marker left that shows where text would begin.

If the above suggestions of solving your problem by ignoring text wrapping do not work, you can first check if the option of "Show Frame Edges" present in view menu is enabled.

This way even if you do not see the "cursor"(the "l" marker in your question) blinking you should see the frame edges.

For example, consider the below screenshot wherein I have applied a large text wrap offset to an image (shown in blue oval).

When I create a text frame (shown in red) within this wrapping offset, I see the text frame border but not see any blinking cursor. Writing any text would make the text go overset (have a small + on text frame).

The way to see the cursor would be to either move the frame outside the wrapping area or to follow the method @Derek Cross​suggested above.

-Aman

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 3, 2017

The picture has a text wrap applied to it: With the picture selected, choose Window > Text Wrap. In the Text Wrap panel, click the top left icon (No Text Wrap).

Participating Frequently
May 3, 2017

Thank you for responding so quickly!

Text wrap was 'checked' and so I 'un-checked' it.

But I still can't drag a text box and type in it on top of a photo.

Arrrrrg!

Derek Cross
Community Expert
Derek CrossCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 3, 2017

Try this, select the text you want to put on top of the image then: Object > Text Frame Options and tick Ignore Text Wrap.