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M
mortyfromqueens
Inspiring
May 20, 2017
Answered

How do I change the widths of a two-column, one-page document?

  • May 20, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 7727 views

Hello,

     I'm setting-up a one-page news-release that has two columns,

but can't seem to find a way to change the widths of the columns.

     Thank you,

        Morty

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Barb Binder

Ditto on my just-sent reply to you, Rob.

     —Morty


Hi Morty—

1) I only wanted two columns, but you're suggesting I make two out of 3 (?)

An easy way to divide the page equally is to use the page margins as a grid. If that is confusing, don't worry about the grid. Just draw the frames. The one on the left should be narrower than the one on the right. Keep it simple.

2) But then I'm typing above the page margin if I can't draw the text frame within the margin

   —and why couldn't I?

ACTUALLY, even with the text frame above the page margin, I can begin typing WITHIN the page margin. I that okay, then?

You should be able to draw the frames to align on the margins (pink) and columns (purple). But if you are having trouble, you can select the text frames with the Selection tool and tug on the handles until they snap to the guides. Once the frames are in the right place, just start typing. Here I encourage you to look at margin and column guides as well, guides. They guide you, but you can always pull frames outside of the guides to make things fit. The printer doesn't care if your text falls inside or outside of the margin or column guides. Just make it fit, make it pretty, and don't get too close to the edge of the page.

3) No—I could delete the text in the left text frame, but not in the right…

     Yes, the right text frame is on the body page…

          No, the right text frame is not locked.

You have two frames in your screen shot. A narrow one on the left, and a wider one on the right. They are outined in blue. I don't see anything in your left frame. It is completely empty in your screen shot.

I do see two columns of text in the wider frame on the right. To remove the contents of that frame, click on the text in either column, choose Edit > Select All and then press Delete on your Mac keyboard. Then you can start over. Or delete the frame, and redraw it, in case there are settings in there that are causing the problem.

Now, knowing that this is your very last project, here is a link to a template that mimics the page you are trying to create: Dropbox - Morty​. I've included the .indd file if you have 2017, and an .idml file if you are on a early version. Replace the text, add images in the frames with Xs, modify the frame widths if you like, and you should be done in no time.

You can use it, modify it or ignore it. Whatever you like!

~Barb

3 replies

M
mortyfromqueensAuthor
Inspiring
May 22, 2017

Barb (and all), thank you for your continued support.

     I understand, and have understood, the limits of help at community, and I have done my best to learn

     elsewhere—Visual Quickstart Guide to InDesign CC, a friend who has been a pro for years using InDesign,

     and searches online—but this news letter is the LAST thing I'll ever do in InDesign because it's the last

     thing I'm doing for the book I've done in InDesign that is the last book I'll ever do.

Thank you for the link to the free trial period at lynda.com—I signed-up for it and have studied the first two parts,

which are the only two relevant to my one-page news-release.

I have created, at your suggestion, a one-column page and have drawn two text frames in it,

which is all I've done with it so far, but I thought I should answer some questions you had before that, which

I don't think we need to follow-up on…

     1) I only wanted two columns, but you're suggesting I make two out of 3 (?)

     2) But then I'm typing above the page margin if I can't draw the text frame within the margin

          —and why couldn't I?

          ACTUALLY, even with the text frame above the page margin, I can begin typing WITHIN the page margin. I that okay, then?

     3) No—I could delete the text in the left text frame, but not in the right…

          Yes, the right text frame is on the body page…

          No, the right text frame is not locked.

    Sincerely,

      Morty

Barb Binder
Barb Binder
Community Expert
May 20, 2017

Hey Morty: Let's step back for a moment. Are you clear how to define columns?

  1. Via File > New
  2. On the master pages with Layout > Margins and Columns
  3. On an individual body page with Layout > Margins and Columns

Designers are trained to design on a grid. Columns represent the grid, and they draw frames on top. For more info on the concept, see:

https://designschool.canva.com/blog/grid-design/

Alternatively, you can simply move the exisiting guides anywhere you like. There are three steps:

  1. Unlock the column guides
  2. Select the Move tool Selection tool!
  3. Place the Move tool Selection tool! right on a purple guide (note the confirmation of placement—it's the small black rectangle under the cursor when you are in the right location to move them.)
~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    M
    mortyfromqueensAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 21, 2017

    Thanks, Barb,

         But when I made two columns out the the three—with widths as I want them,

    I can only type in the first column, so I created another document with only two columns,

    but same thing happened—could only type in first column.

    However, when I keep typing in the first column, the text not only continues to the second,

    but is even in the gutter.

         Thank you,

           Morty

    M
    mortyfromqueensAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 22, 2017
    1. First set up the columns
    2. Then draw frames over the columns
    3. Optionally, you can set a frame to be one or more columns with Object > Text Frame Properties. (See yellow frame below.)

    If text is moving from one frame to another, the frames are threaded (connected). Using the page you are trying to emulate as a guide, you don't need threaded text frames, nor do you need to divide the right text frame into multiple columns.


    Okay—my reply to you of a few minutes ago went through,

    so I'll attempt the one before that which didn't go through (didn't see it anyhere,

    so I'll re-do it.

    1. Was able to get my two columns the widths I want, and create text boxes in them,

    BUT could only start the text boxes a bit about the text frames, and when I used

    the pointer to move them down, the text frames themselves were also moved down.

    2. I was able to type in both text frames, BUT could only delete the text in the left one.

         Thanks, again,

             Morty

    Steve Werner
    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    May 20, 2017

    There are two ways to make two columns: (1) two text frames with the text threaded between the two frames; or (2) one frame with two columns within in. Which is it? A screen capture would be helpful. What InDesign version?

    M
    mortyfromqueensAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 20, 2017

    Thanks, Steve…

         I'll attach a jpg of my document, AND one of someone else's news release

    that I'm attempting to emulate.

    To answer your question: I was attempting one frame with two columns, different widths

    —however your "two text frames with the text threaded between the two frames"

    sounds promising, BUT what do you mean by that?

    One thing I didn't realize until after I posted this question:

         Not only can I not adjust the widths of my columns, BUT I also cannot type text into

    the column on the right.

         By the way—I originally had a gutter between the columns, which I eliminated.

    I have InDesign CC 2017.

         Looking forward,

              Morty

    Mike Witherell
    Mike Witherell
    Community Expert
    May 20, 2017

    View > Grids & Guides > and click on Lock Column Guides to uncheck it. Now you can drag the columns to asymmetrical measures. Don't forget to put a gutter between Column Guides. (Layout > Margins and Columns ...)

    Mike Witherell
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