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Puzzling Graphics Problem

New Here ,
Jan 11, 2022 Jan 11, 2022

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I'm a beginner who was handed a long InDesign file to edit. It's 2 column with lots of graphs and tables, but all are unanchored which puts them in the wrong place after edits are added. I've read up on unanchored and anchoring objects but have run into  a puzzling problem. The graphs and tables are set up in a way that I've not seen described in any book or video material.  It's difficult to describe in words but I'll try.
The graphs/table sit on an area that looks almost like another rectanglar text frame in the middle of the text frame. The vertical lines of the rectangle are the text frames but it also has horizintal blue lines to create the retcangle. If I remove the graphic from this area, this blank area stays behind. Text flows around the empty rectangle. I can change its size by moving the horizontal lines up  or down which reveal more or less text. But I can't get rid of the rectangle:
1.  If I click on on the upper horizontal line, it selects the upper half of the entire text frame.
2. If try to delete the horiontal line, it then deletes the upper have of the text box.
3. The same things happen with the lower horizontal line and lower part of the text frame
I need to get rid of the blank rectangle  but cannot figure out how. (I'ts not another layer or table). I've shown this to a few people and they are stumped. I'd appreciate any ideas.

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Community Expert ,
Jan 11, 2022 Jan 11, 2022

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Instead of anchoring and unachoring the tables. Try to group the tables and graphs so you can move them back in the place they belong. this way the tables and graphs do not change. and if there is a change for the graph or tables you can ungroupmake the change and then regroup. I hope that helps.

Lee- Graphic Designer, Print Specialist, Photographer

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New Here ,
Jan 15, 2022 Jan 15, 2022

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Sorry, but I don't understand what good grouping would do. The editing means that different graphs and tables need to be moved independently by different amounts to be in the right place. But the biggest problem is that this wouldn't solve the basic problem - if  I move a graphic, it leaves that blank rectangle that the graphic was sitting in. The rectangle cannot be moved and is fixed in place. The mystery is how the person who created the original file created this rectangle and how to get rid of it. 

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Community Expert ,
Jan 15, 2022 Jan 15, 2022

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Hazarding a guess (or a shot in the dark) — it sounds like some of the layout elements are locked, meaning they cannot be selected or moved. You can unlock all elements on a current page or spread with Object | Unlock All on Spread or Ctrl+Alt+L.

 

With frames showing, any locked object will have a tiny padlock icon on the upper left edge. You can also unlock items individually by clicking on the lock icon.


╟ Word & InDesign to Kindle & EPUB: a Guide to Pro Results (Amazon) ╢

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New Here ,
Jan 20, 2022 Jan 20, 2022

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Here;s a screen shot. The equation is on one box sitting on another. If te equation is cut, then the box is left behind. I can move horizontal lines so that they superimpose and get rid of the gap. That seems like a kluge and I'd rather fix it properly.

d prime.png

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Community Expert ,
Jan 11, 2022 Jan 11, 2022

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Hi @Francis22422790ddg4:

 

If @Jumpenjax's suggestion doesn't work for you, I'm happy to look at the file. You can put it on dropbox and add a link here (public) or click my name above this post and message it to me directly (private). I just need a few pages that illustrate the problem. 

 

~Barb

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Community Expert ,
Jan 20, 2022 Jan 20, 2022

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Hi @Francis22422790ddg4:

 

Everything in InDesign has to be in a frame—that's non-negotiable. That equation is a graphic and it is inside a graphics frame in your screen shot. On Layer 1, all frames have blue edges as a default. 

 

Working from the one screen shot you have shared, I would:

  1. Move the equation and frame to the pasteboad
  2. Convert the two remaining text frames into one text frame:
    • Delete the bottom text frame
    • Drag the bottom middle handle of the top text frame to the bottom margin
  3. Move the equation back to the page and anchor to the correct location

 

Now it will reflow after edits.

 

~Barb

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New Here ,
Feb 06, 2022 Feb 06, 2022

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I did what you said and everything worked fine. It's clear that the underlying problem is that I didn't have a good inuitive grasp of how the text flows from one text box to another. It was very disconcerting when delete a box and see all the text disappear. It wasn't obvious that the text just simply flowed into the next box.

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Community Expert ,
Jan 20, 2022 Jan 20, 2022

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Hi Francis

You'll get lots of (helpful) suggestions, and my one is to duplicate the file and then Save As an IDML file, then rename it and reopen it as an InDesign document.

This will clear out all the crud that builds up in an InDesign document over a period and makes it much less likely to become corrupt. You also have a copy of the original file to go back to in case things go wrong!

 

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