Skip to main content
camilaf3199346
camilaf3199346
Inspiring
October 11, 2017
Answered

Is it possible to lock text box in master pages, but still be able to type inside it?

  • October 11, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 6376 views

Here's the thing: I would like to lock my text box in master pages and then apply it to all pages. Therefore, users will not be able to change their position (because we have header and footer, so there are situations when text box is too close). In other cases, we have to adjust text box in InDesign and no page has the same size. It is annoying and far from having a standard.

So, I would like to block text box in master page (but only their position and size) without blocking content. So I want to be able to type inside of it, as usual. I've tried to block in CTRL + L, but unfortunately it has blocked the whole page and I wasn't able to type on it. =( Maybe someone of you can help me with any suggestion. Thanks in advance!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bill Silbert

You can lock a Primary Text Frame on your Master Page (Command L on Mac Control L on a PC) and then go into the General section of InDesign Preferences and uncheck "Prevent Selection of Locked Objects". This will keep the size and position of the primary text frame unmovable while allowing the insertion and editing of text. This will also work for non-primary text frames from Master pages as long as they are selected and locked with Command/Control L on the master page but in order to add text you must activate them on the  Document Pages by clicking on them with the Shift and Command pressed on a Mac or Shift and Control on a PC.

2 replies

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Bill SilbertCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
October 11, 2017

You can lock a Primary Text Frame on your Master Page (Command L on Mac Control L on a PC) and then go into the General section of InDesign Preferences and uncheck "Prevent Selection of Locked Objects". This will keep the size and position of the primary text frame unmovable while allowing the insertion and editing of text. This will also work for non-primary text frames from Master pages as long as they are selected and locked with Command/Control L on the master page but in order to add text you must activate them on the  Document Pages by clicking on them with the Shift and Command pressed on a Mac or Shift and Control on a PC.

    H
    hank_stamper
    Inspiring
    September 29, 2021

    Bill,

    Thank you so much!  This was HUGLY helpful to my workflow.  Neat trick

    Eric

    S
    SJRiegel
    Legend
    October 11, 2017

    In InDesign, the text box will either be completely locked, or will be free to type in and move. 

    Maybe you could put guidelines on the master page for the corner of the text box, and instruct your users that the upper left corner of the text box always must be aligned to those guides.

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 11, 2017

      Are these people only editing text? If so, why not look into InCopy?

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices