How to keep padding between text objects

Report · Apr 16, 2019

Hello,

I have a problem, maybe someone knows how to solve.

I've created a template for text document and going to hand it over to the client. But he might edit the text inside the blocks which will cause their resizing of course. Is there a way to lock padding between text objects so they don't have manually adjust?

Please advice!

Thanks!

Report · Apr 16, 2019

The only way your client can edit an InDesign template is if they have a copy of InDesign.

There are no paragraph-level locking that keeps those using InDesign from doing stupid things!

I suggest that you recommend to your client to take a good InDesign class (in person or with a good video service like Lynda.com/Linked In Learning) so they can fix and modify what you have prepared!

And if things do need to be fixed, you can charge them for your time cleaning them up or teaching them how to fix them!

Report · Apr 16, 2019

Put all of your text into the same text box, and control the spacing with Space Between Paragraphs

Report · Apr 16, 2019

good idea! But the problem I have line objects between text blocks they will get messed up

Report · Apr 16, 2019

margaritac90967611 wrote
…line objects between text blocks…

Are they lines or objects? You can set paragraph rules (lines) before or after a paragraph and also anchor objects into text, and have them move as the text increases or decreases. Is this what you would like?

Report · Apr 17, 2019

Hi margaritac90967611 ,

also with separate objects, the text frames and the graphic lines objects, there is a way to order the elements vertically with a distinct distance next to each other.

1. Apply automatic height for each text frame with the text frame options ( InDesign CS6 and above ).

2. Group horizontal elements like your LABEL frame and the text frame right from it.

3. Align Distribute all elements with a distinct distance. Your client has to learn this.

Automatic height:

Elements with different distances not distributed:

Note: To make it work with Align Distribute you have to group horizontal units like the text frame with "LABELS" and the frame right to it.

Also the unit that is the frame with "OPTICS" and the frame right to it:

Setting Align Distribute with a distance of 3 mm:

Results:

Results without showing frame edges and hidden characters:

However, better would be to do all your text and all your graphic lines with one text frame.

For cases like the LABEL unit you need a different paragraph style setup like other headlines.

Also for the text right to it. The graphic lines are also done with a separate paragraph style and live in their own paragraphs.

Align Distribute vs. All text in one text frame:

Note, that setting this up with several paragraph styles and tweaking the distances needs a bit of time.

Your client should be aware of the diverse paragraph styles and their effects on formatting.

Especially the paragraph style for "LABELS" and "OPTICS" where an indented text is following. I set this up with a baseline shift and leading set to 0 so editing text is not straight forward. You have to select the text above it's visual appearance. See screenshot below where the word LABELS is selected. There are alternatives for this approach using a bullet list where the bullet is the text "LABELS". So we need yet another bullet list for e.g. "OPTICS". Also not very straight forward for editing with your client.

Additional Note: I used Rule Above with paragraph formatting for the graphic lines separating the units.

Also a different paragraph style for the text that has no headline, but obviously should be a unit in itself.

Regards,
Uwe

( EDITED )