Threaded text (combine two threads)

[katielady1]

I have one large text thread. I have a second smaller text thread. I want to thread those boxes into the larger one. However, everytime I click the out port from the larger thread, and try to click the in port on the newer thread, it makes a new text box instead of using the existing one I'm clicking on. What am I missing? Thanks in advance. 

[Susan Culligan]

You could just copy and paste the shorter text thread to the end of the longer one, then thread it into the second frame.

[jmlevy]

[…] and try to click the in port on the newer thread

Just click on the frame itself, not on its in port.

[katielady1]

Thanks @jmlevy , but if I click on the frame itself it also just makes a new frame.
FYI: I'm using InDesign 20.5 on a Mac running Sequoia 15.16.1 if that helps. 

[jmlevy]

It could be because this frame is locked.

[katielady1]

Frame is not locked, but thanks for suggesting. I feel like it's a glitch from one of the last updates but not sure if anyone else is experiencing it. 

[Mike Witherell]

Hi Katie,

Although you click on the Outport from the previous textframe; you must click anywhere in the midst of the next textframe you are linking/threading to. Not the Inport.

[katielady1]

Thanks, @Mike Witherell . However, if I click on the frame itself it also just makes a new frame.
FYI: I'm using InDesign 20.5 on a Mac running Sequoia 15.16.1 if that helps. 

[Peter Spier]

Are both threads on the same layer? Is one on the Parent Page?

[katielady1]

They are both on the same layer. Neither on parent page. I think maybe what I want to do is not possible?

For example, if I have two populated threaded boxes, let's call them A1 + A2
Then then I have two more populated threaded boxes (seperate from the above), let's call them B1 + B2

Now, I would like to thread them as follows A1 + B1 + B2 + A2. However after clicking on A1 and clicking onto B1, it always makes a new text box. 

[jmlevy · Accepted solution]

Now, I would like to thread them as follows A1 + B1 + B2 + A2

I better understand: you can thread them as A1 + A2 + B1 + B2 but it seems that A1 + B1 + B2 + A2 is impossible to get, if the frames have text in them. I tried to do this with empty frames and it works.

[katielady1]

Thanks, Jim. I think you are correct. If the threads/boxes are populated its not possible. 

[Peter Spier · Accepted solution]

I'm having no trouble at all here linking two independent threads by clicking the outport of the first and clciking the cursrsor showing the link icon anywhere in the second thread. 

Taat said, if A1 and A2 are already threaded you must break the A thread first to get A1 > B1 > B2 > A2

There are two sample scripts included with InDesign, BreakFrame.jsx which breaks a text thread after the selected frame, and SplitStory.jsx, which removes all threading in the story, leaving you with unthreaded frames that you can re-thread in any pattern you choose.

[katielady1]

Ah, yes I did not try and break the thread first. That makes sense. Thanks. 

[Peter Spier]

For what it's worth, I tried this in both version 19 and 20.5, but I'm on Windows. If it isn't working correctly on your Mac I would say it's a bug, but I suspect there's something else going on.