Reply To: Joke book layout tips

I hear ya, Rivkah!

Honestly I would tend to go with my way because there are 50% fewer text frames needed (as opposed to David’s solution), and no need to copy/paste … just Shift-drag the blue anchor box that’s on the answer frames to the empty paragraph returns.

And I just think it’s easier to control the layout with a paragraph style for the anchored frames .. like if you want to change alignment or space above/below … than with threaded frames. Also, imagine having to rearrange the order of items, as you mentioned. What a nightmare with threaded frames. Far easier to just use the Type tool to cut and paste the question and the anchored answer.

Here is something that will save you time regardless of which solution you choose. Create one text frame with all the punchlines/answers in it, one after the other, separated by a single paragraph return.

Then run the free Split Text Frame script from Ajar Productions, here:

Split Text Extension for InDesign

That will convert the single text frame into multiple ones, each with a single paragraph.

Now you can drag-select over all of them (however many you fit in the starting text frame), make sure your proxy point is the center of the grid, and choose Object > Transform > Rotate 180.

AM