I am formatting a play in InDesign CC and having problems. When I close-up one line it throws others off.

[Conquest]

Here's an example. Superman's dialogue should be separated from the line for Martinez above it.  When I separate the lines, it throws other lines off on other pages. So when I fix these problems, it just creates others.

MARTINEZ

Why forced?

SUPERMAN

The paper was bought by Rupert Murdoch.

MARTINEZ

And now?

[Kat Gilbert]

Moved your question to InDesign for the Lounge is not where you will receive technical help. If you do not receive any help here please let us know and we will move to another forum.

[Conquest]

OK, sorry Kat. Thank you for moving it. Do I need to do anything else?

[winterm]

Yes - to give us more info.

What OS, version? InDesign version? How do you 'separate the lines'? By hitting Enter/Return? Which? On a main keyboard, on a numeric pad? These keys act differently in ID.

And this: 'when I fix these problems'. How, I wonder? If you found a right way to do what you want, why do it wrongly again?

And it would be nice to see a screenshot with non-printing symbols visible...

[Conquest]

I'm using Mac Sierra  InDesign CC 2017. Yes, I hit return on MacBook Pro's keyboard to space down  (can't use space bar). I can provide a screen-shot but I don't see an upload button here.

What I meant to say is that when I hit the return key to properly separate the text...other sections close-up incorrectly.

[Conquest]

I'm guessing I should be using the "Keep" function in Styles? Not sure how to implement it.

[Conquest]

[Conquest]

Another problem that crops up when separating text...on the next page lines get spaced down in the text frame like this:

The name Martinez should be up against the purple line, top of text frame.

[winterm]

Ah, you found out how to upload pics, good.

Your main problem, I guess (you don't show hidden chars) is using 'empty line' (carriage return) as a spacing - don't do this!

First of all, two separate Paragraph styles should be created, and all proper settings defined there (not only spacing):

[Conquest]

Thank you! I will try a new paragraph style.

[winterm]

And just to be clear: under the Return key you mean the key on the main keyboard? Have you numpad at all? it may be important.

[Conquest]

No, there's  no number pad on the laptop. I do have an external keyboard but I'm not using that.

[winterm]

And you have no issues with entering regular carriage return? Lines below doesn't jump to another column/frame/page? Just to be clear and exclude possible problem...

[Conquest]

When I use the return key the spacing becomes correct, but then other lines are thrown off.  I will try creating a new paragraph style.

I was thinking I might try turning off "allow shuffle"  ?

Thanks for your help.

[winterm]

I'm not sure from your description, possibly it acts like a numpad key should do (some people report this). If so, try Fn+Return combination - is it better? Few minutes later I'll show you some basic screenshots on formatting.

[winterm · Accepted solution]

Some basic highlights how to handle text like yours...

[Conquest]

This is great -- THANK YOU!!!

[winterm]

Glad to hear. Are you sure you marked proper answer as 'correct'?

[Kat Gilbert]

You are good to go... hope you find the help you need here!