Importing large number of captions into linked text boxes

[mlondon88]

Hi,

I'm laying out a book where I have hundreds of captions, coming from a Word file.

I'd like to be able to create linked text boxes, and then flow the entire caption file into them.

(I will likely use the WordsFlow plugin so that I can update the text if needed WordsFlow » Em Software )

My question is how to tell InDesign where to break the text, so that each caption is placed in the specific (linked) text box (and does not flow into the previous/next frame)

I can place a marker (ie: ###) at the beginning of each caption if needed.

I understand that this not how linked boxes usually work, and that they are designed to reflow the text as they change size, but I'm looking for a way to force the text to stay within a specific box.

I know I can do this manually, by adjusting each text box so it just displays the desired text, but as I need to be able to update them, one small change would cause them all to reflow.

Grateful for any and all help.

Thank you.

[TᴀW]

I would place the ### marker at the end of each caption, and then, once it's in InDesign, replace it with InDesign's special "Frame Break" character (Type > Insert Break Character > Frame Break).

As its name implies, the Frame Break will push off any subsequent text into the following frame.

Ariel

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com · Accepted solution]

This might be an easier way.

Make a paragraph style for your CAPTION. Format it to have the Keeps Options set to Start in NEW FRAME.

Now, every time that style is invoked (or applied to a paragraph of text), it will push the text to the next linked frame.

Since the captions are coming from Word, speed up the process even more by using IMPORT OPTIONS when you import/place the file into your INDD layout. That is, click the checkbox for Import Options after selecting the file from your list of files. It will trigger a new dialogue where if you click at the bottom-most options, you can map the incoming Word style to your caption style.

If done right, everything will fall into place as soon as the text is placed into your layout.

Hope this helps.