Indesign Page Master (Left Side Overflow, RIght SIde Image)

[Eric32644190vhp0]

I am trying to set up a book layout in InDesign (2025) with the following requirements:

1. Document Setup:

   • Facing Pages enabled.
   • Left pages are for flowing text, using a Primary Text Frame.
   • Right pages are for static images, with no text frames or threading.

2. Expected Behavior:

   • When I place text on the first left-side page, it should overflow into new left-side pages automatically.
   • InDesign should create additional left-side pages and thread the text into their Primary Text Frames without any manual intervention.

3. Current Problem:

   • I have set up the text frame on the left Parent Page as a Primary Text Frame.
   • Smart Text Reflow is enabled with the following settings:
     • Limit to Primary Text Frames checked.
     • Add Pages set to "At End of Story."
   • Despite this setup, when I place text, it overflows into a red + sign and does not automatically create or flow into new left-side pages.
   • To thread text into subsequent left-side pages, I must manually click the out port of each text frame and connect it to the next page, which is impractical for a 500+ page book.

4. What I’ve Tried:

   • Confirmed the left-side text frame on the Parent Page is designated as a Primary Text Frame.
   • Verified that Smart Text Reflow is enabled and properly configured.
   • Ensured no text frame exists on the right-side Parent Page.
   • Checked that all document pages inherit the correct Parent Page (A-Master).
   • Tested threading the Parent Page’s text frame manually via the out port (which either creates additional frames or does nothing for document-level auto-threading).

5. Key Question:

   • How do I configure InDesign to automatically create and thread text into new left-side pages when the text overflows without manual threading?

Any guidance or clarification on what I may be missing in my setup would be greatly appreciated.  

[Willi Adelberger]

Do you use any modifier key?  Like alt, shift, cmd,etc?

With primary text frames none are required. 

[Eric32644190vhp0]

I did not use any modifier key. I am using the default InDesign settings. I feel like I’ve followed all the correct steps—setting up Primary Text Frames, enabling Smart Text Reflow, and placing the text properly—but for some reason, the results are not what I expect. When I use the Place option or paste the text into the Primary Text Frame on the first left-side page, it doesn’t auto-thread or add new left-side pages as I anticipated. I’m wondering if there’s some small detail I might be overlooking.  😞

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Eric32644190vhp0

After placing text into first TF - reflow it to the next with Shift.

[Eric32644190vhp0]

I dont understand your reply.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I dont understand your reply.

By @Eric32644190vhp0

When you "just" place text into a TextFrame - it won't be automatically reflowed to other TFs - you need to "kick-start" the process - either when placing text for the first time - or when reflowing it to the next TF - in both cases you need to press Shift - you'll notice change of the "loaded" cursor. 

[Eric32644190vhp0]

I have a large volume of copy here I am pasting in and it is not text flowing and creating new pages.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Eric32644190vhp0

Go to page 2,

select your TF,

click on the red [+] in the right bottom corner,

create new spread,

Shift click on the TF on the 4th page.

[Eric32644190vhp0]

I guess therein is where my confusion lies.  I thought by setting my Parent master (TF on the left, Image on the right) that adding my whole 100's of pages of text would populate all the pages and adjust accordingly as I add or remove spreads.  Any page designated with A parent page would inherit the textflow . 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Eric32644190vhp0

Yes, they'll - but you've to kick-start the process.

[Eric32644190vhp0]

Is there a way to "refresh" or force it to re-kick start off?  I am trying to figure out a work around as this should not be so hard

[Eric32644190vhp0]

For example when I update or make a change to the parent like say change the font in the parent from 12 to 20pt... it is not updating the font on all the pages with a parent attached to it.  Very strange.  Is there a refresh?

[Willi Adelberger]

Fonts have nothing to do with the parent/master. They are controlled via paragraph and character styles globally.