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federico platon
Legend
August 13, 2019
Question

Why Adjust Layout is not available when changing the number of columns?

  • August 13, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 852 views

On any document open with v.14.0.3,

when i select facing pages, one page, or a Master page and

go to Layout>Margins&Columns, if a change the number of columns,

the Adjust Layout checkbox is not available and

shows a warning message, it is not working?

    3 replies

    S
    Stellar_Wonderland5049
    Participating Frequently
    September 22, 2025

    That’s expected — in InDesign 14.0.3 (CC 2019) the Adjust Layout checkbox is only active when you’re changing page size or margins in a way that would require objects to move/scale. When you change just the number of columns, InDesign disables it and shows the warning. If you want objects to realign to the new column setup, you’ll need to use Smart Guides or manually reflow them — Adjust Layout doesn’t apply to column count changes in that version.

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2019

    Hi Federico,

    I'd ask at InDesign Prerelease.

    14.0.3 is still in beta.

    FWIW: Test with the very last version of 14.0.3 that is currently available.

    Regards,
    Uwe

    F
    federico platonAuthor
    Legend
    August 13, 2019

    Thanks Uwe, my mistake on my PC I just were running current 14.0.2 release

    under Windows 10 Pro 1903, build18956.1000.

    When I try to change the number of columns (2 up to 3) hoping to be able to get auto adjusted the layout of text frames up to 3, to the margins of each column,

    I get a warning it will not work, and also the outcome does not readjust the width of each frame.

    What I am missing?

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2019

    https://forums.adobe.com/people/federico+platon  wrote

    …What I am missing? …

    Nothing :-)

    It's a bug.

    Just test the latest Prerelease version.

    Regards,
    Uwe

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2019

    Hi Frederico:

    Adjust layout is meant to adjust the size/position of existing frames when you adjust the paper size or margins. It doesn't work when you modify the columns on the page. An alternative may be to define columns within text frames. Can you tell us what are you trying to accomplish? We should be able to get you where you want to go. Screen shots of your layout would help.

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    F
    federico platonAuthor
    Legend
    August 13, 2019

    Thanks Barb fir your propt reply. Currently on a iPad, as soon as i get back to my PC I will attach some captures.

    What i wish to do is, having a document layout with 2 columns and placed text frames adjusted to the column margins (text autoflowed inside the column margins), i wish to change the number of columns to 3, and get 3 text frames on each page, fitted to the column margins. I am pretty sure it could de done before, in earlier versions, just by having checked the Adjust Layout checkbox in the Columns&Margins window.

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