Insert an Existing Text Box into a Existing Text Thread?

[homeboy4]

I have three text boxes on the same page each with text. Box 1 is flows (is threaded) into Box 2. Box 3 is a separate box with text but is not part of the thread. I want to insert Box 3 into the thread so that the text flows from Box 1 to Box 3 to Box 2. 

Is there a simple way to do this?

[SJRiegel]

I think that the easiest way would be to cut the text out of box three and paste it in to box where it goes, resize the next box (was 3, now 2) and then thread the rest of the text into a new box 3 (containing the prior box 2 text)

(unless someone has a script or an action available to accomplish what you want)

[homeboy4]

Your workaround would work if I only, in fact, had three boxes. But my project is more complex, and I simplified it for this forum.

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi homeboy4,

split your story using a script.

Add the text frame to one of the two threaded stories.

Thread the last text frame of the one story to the first text frame of the other story.

For splitting the story at a particular text frame you could try Ariel's script BreakTextThread.jsx.

If you are on version 15.0.2.323 with InDesign you should find the script in your Scripts panel under folder Community.

Here step-by-step in screenshots from my German InDesign on Windows:

Let's pretend we want to add the text frame with the Magenta text after the selected text frame above. Run BreakTextThread.jsx with option After the Selected Frame.

Then thread the frame with the Magenta text to the previous selected frame:

Finally thread the frame with the Magenta text to the first frame of the other story:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[homeboy4]

Do the scripts just split the two text boxes in question or all the text boxes in the thread?

[Laubender]

See into my screenshot of Ariel's script. There are several options. The one that is visible will not split all text frames in a story. It will split just after the text frame that is selected.

Important: Before using a script save your document so that you can go back easily if something goes wrong.

More on the current Community scripts here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/scripting.html#community_scripts

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Laubender]

Hi homeboy4,

below a link to a more detailed description by the script author himself:

Break Text Thread: A Free InDesign Script
by Ariel | January 28, 2020

https://www.id-extras.com/break-text-thread/

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )