Text frame skewing L to R from lower LH corner

[defaultpj9qdhmajoiq]

Hello, users. I have been noticing for a few months that a specific text frame within a template file will randomly begin skewing slightly right out of the lower LH corner. Has anyone seen this?

I can’t explain how it’s happening. Any tips or advice on fixing/mitigating? If I copy the text out of the frame and put it into a new one, the issue doesn’t duplicate so it’s something happening with the specific frame in the template. Running ID 19.2 x64

Thanks in advance.

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Hi @defaultpj9qdhmajoiq:

This is a new one. I know you said you're on the most current version of InDesign, 19.2, but what operating system are you using? Did this start happening after the upgrade to 19?

In my experience, text frames don't skew themselves. As a matter fact, it's a bit of work and you would know you are doing it. It seems most likely to be a user error, and we need to rule that out: does the first part of the demo ring a bell? Have you ever selected the top left corner with the direct selection tool, and moved it?

To restore the rectangular shape, just choose Object > Shape > Rectangle.

Assuming you come back with a no, still considering the options. Object styles don't save a custom frame shape, so it can't be that. Maybe corruption in the file? Again, I've never heard of this as an indicator of file corruption, but it wouldn't hurt to save this file as an IDML file, and then save it back as a InDesign file under a new name to see if that straightens it out. 

~Barb

[defaultpj9qdhmajoiq]

Hi Barb, simply restoring to shape fixed the issue. The best I can tell is that it has to be an erroneous direct selection of that top LH corner to skew it ever-so-slightly.

What's interesting is that I know for certain that the frame within the template file was not skewed when I last updated it because other files I've generated with it since then didn't have the same issue. After my colleague showed me the problem in a file he generated earlier today, however, the skew was happening within the same frame on both template pages that use this style.

Might just be time to rebuild these pages within the template and monitor to see if the issue arises again.

At any rate, thank you so much for the help.

—Cole

[defaultpj9qdhmajoiq]

Forgot to respond that I'm running Windows 11 Pro 22621.3007

[Barb Binder]

Of course you said skew, should I should ask: do you use the skew command on other frames? Choosing skew from the Object menu or the Control panel would do the same thing if you had the direct selection tool active. Is that a possibility?

~Barb

[defaultpj9qdhmajoiq]

Your first example was a correct duplication of my issue. I was using incorrect terminology to describe the problem at first.

[Barb Binder]

Hi Cole:

I'd much prefer the answer to be user error than brand new InDesign bug, and it's not a bad idea to rebuild your templates from time to time, or at least save as IDML. InDesign files bloat over time and using File > Save As as well as saving as IDML helps with that.

Now that you're aware of how this could happen, just pay attention to which tool you are using. For a most of us, just becoming aware that we are making a mistake is all it takes for us to stop doing it. I've recognized this in myself many times.

~Barb