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J
Jeremy Ricci
Participant
May 16, 2023
Answered

Paragraph Style that forces Column Break

  • May 16, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 2007 views

Hey all! 

I'm currently working on a directory (more or less a phone book) and I'm trying to format it so that an entire entry breaks to the next column if it reaches the end of a text box, or if an image is wrapping the text into the next column.  Each entry essentially looks like this: 

Business Name
Branch
Joe Bob Burton
555-555-5555
email@email.com

 

There are hard returns between each entry. Right now, if it reaches the end of the column, it breaks and the next line of text moves. Is there a way to apply a rule so the entire entry stays together and moves to the next column instead? 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer James Gifford—NitroPress

As Peter notes, nearly everything you need to control this is in the Keep Options menu for the Paragraph Styles. Essentially, you want to set everything to stick together EXCEPT the name line, which should be allowed to break to the next column. Ask away if the menu and options aren't clear.

3 replies

Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
May 16, 2023

As others said - BUT you have to have at least TWO ParaStyles - one for first 4x Paragraphs - one separate one for each line - and then 2nd / separate ParaStyle - for the e-mail line.

Misunderstood your first message.

 

James Gifford—NitroPress
James Gifford—NitroPressCorrect answer
Legend
May 16, 2023

As Peter notes, nearly everything you need to control this is in the Keep Options menu for the Paragraph Styles. Essentially, you want to set everything to stick together EXCEPT the name line, which should be allowed to break to the next column. Ask away if the menu and options aren't clear.

    J
    Jeremy RicciAuthor
    Participant
    May 16, 2023

    Hmm, I must be doing something wrong, I think.  Does it matter if there are hard or soft line breaks within the block? 

    Right now I have it set to keep together, but it still breaks at every line. The text box is set up in 3 columns, and if I copy / paste this block, when I adjust my column size, it still breaks the paragraph on a per-line basis.  I've used a soft return (shift + return) to line break within the block. Here's a screenshot of the keep settings, and a sample paragraph: 



    J
    Jeremy RicciAuthor
    Participant
    May 16, 2023

    Update: I figured it out! I had "Keep with Previous" checked, and that was causing issues. All good now! I appreciate the help folks, saved me a ton of time. 

    Peter Spier
    Community Expert
    Peter SpierCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 16, 2023

    Set each paragraph style to keep all lines in the paragraph together (in case they break to more than one line), and also all but the email paragraph to keep with next 1 line. (This presumes a hard return between each line in your sample)

    If you've used soft returns for your line breaks it's enough to make sure your keep options keep all lines together.

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