InDesign question

[Prest0]

Okay, I could ask this question on a design forum, but I thought I'd try my fellow e-publishers first.

I'm using InDesign CS, and I'm unable to balance the columns. My "keeps" rules in my styles dictate that the first two and last lines in a paragraph be kept together to prevent widows and orphans. Consequently, some columns come up short because it'll break the column at the end of a para rather than allow only one sentence of the paragraph to hang.

I'm aware that InDesign allows you justify columns, and normally this would fix the problem. However, that option is greyed out if the text box flows around something with text wrap. I make a point to have some sort of visual element on every page--be it a sidebar, illustration, or cutline--so that doesn't help me at all. In other words, I'm stuck.

How do you go about insuring your columns are neatly balanced?

 

[Padril]

I'm using InDesign CS, and I'm unable to balance the columns. My "keeps" rules in my styles dictate that the first two and last lines in a paragraph be kept together to prevent widows and orphans. Consequently, some columns come up short because it'll break the column at the end of a para rather than allow only one sentence of the paragraph to hang.

I'm aware that InDesign allows you justify columns, and normally this would fix the problem. However, that option is greyed out if the text box flows around something with text wrap. I make a point to have some sort of visual element on every page--be it a sidebar, illustration, or cutline--so that doesn't help me at all. In other words, I'm stuck.

How do you go about insuring your columns are neatly balanced?

Use a grid. For example, say you are using 10pt type with 12pt leading for your body copy make sure that any headings etc use a multiple of that heading too (eg 24pt)

That will help you keep the baselines of your text lines lined up. To make sure that the columns balance can be a little bit more tricky. If you your coming up a line or two short at the end of a column you can do a couple of things.

1. Add more text. If your a line short add a line of text to a paragraph above.
2. Adjust the tracking. Indesign gives you very fine controls over tracking and kerning. You can simply just expand a paragraph slightly to make it run over to an extra line or contract a paragraph to pull a line back.

Hopefully I've managed to explain this properly if you have any other questions let me know.

Padril

 

[Flyspeck23]

Consequently, some columns come up short because it'll break the column at the end of a para rather than allow only one sentence of the paragraph to hang.

IMHO that shouldn't happen anyway. One or two lines at the end of a column look ugly, disturbs the flow of reading, and should be avoided at all costs (btw, similar things could be said about one or two lines at the top of a column).

There are ways to avoid this (and therefore your layout program won't cause any problems): toy with the justification of your text (for paragraphs that are only one word too long or too short for a full line), vary the size of illustrations, or split a paragraph in half.

Oh, and what Padril said is true, of course. I'm a big fan of baseline grids (although the Complete Spell/Monster Cards are an exception, mind you), because (repeat with me): The baseline grid is your friend!

 

[Prest0]

Thanks for the advice. I'm fairly new to InDesign, so I'll do some more experimenting.

 

[Prest0]

(snip) ... because (repeat with me): The baseline grid is your friend!

OMG yes!!! How have I managed to go this long in desktop publishing without using the baseline grid?!?! While it doesn't solve the widow/orphan problem, it does make things a lot cleaner. Thanks one more time for the advice!