How NOT to split NAMES on a single line in InDesign?

[STAV]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know how to prevent InDesign from splitting names that are separated by commas at the end of a line? I’ve tried a few GREP expressions, but they haven’t been entirely effective. Any suggestions?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Replace the spaces within names with nonbreaking spaces.

Or apply a no-break character style across each name.

[STAV]

Hi James,

Thanks for your prompt response. I tried both options and once again it's not working. When I replaced the spaces with nonbreading spaces, suddenly the text disappeared. Any further support? 

[Peter Spier]

Use the non-breaking spaces only between the parts of a single name, NOT between the names or anywhere else you want the text to break.

you can use the following GREP to get you most of the way there:

Find: (\u\l+)( )(\u\l+)(?!,)

Change: $1~S$3

This will work for most names, but will fail for those with lowercase prefix portions or that have a suffix such as Jr.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Peter Spier

Shouldn't be:

Change: $1~S$3$4

[Peter Spier]

Don't think so. That last is a negative look ahead. Expression works here as-is.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Don't think so. That last is a negative look ahead. Expression works here as-is.

By @Peter Spier

Right sorry. 

[Peter Spier]

No worries. I'm hardly a GREP guru.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Sorry if I wasn't more clear — as already noted, you replace ONLY the spaces you don't want to break with this method. It's fairly standard to create or process name lists with a hard or nonbreaking space within each name, so that they will not break no matter how or where they are used further in the project or process.

A hard space in every slot just makes a string the app can't process. 🙂

[Willi Adelberger]

Create a character style with no language and apply it to names. 
i doubt that it is possible to apply names such a style automatically as names do not follow any regular rules. 
Applying this character style will also exclude them from any spell checks. 

[FRIdNGE · Accepted solution]

I don't say this Grep code that groups complete names will work in all situations! …

((\u\.?['\w-]*)\h?(\u\.\h?)*)+(?2)

Best,

(^/)  The Jedi

[STAV]

This GREP command seems to be working well for me so far.

Thank you!