7 Replies Latest reply: Aug 22, 2013 2:59 PM by SueCampbell54

Auto size text box on master page not working

SueCampbell54 Aug 22, 2013 10:19 AM

I am using running headers in a book and populating them with variable text. The headers use a top and bottom rule that are the length of the text box containing the header. But I want each one to vary by the length of the text. The the text is centered so that an ornament running above and below the two rules and text stays centered. I have selected ”Auto Width” in the text box (from left or right depending on which page it is) and set a minimum width. The problem is that the auto width doesn’t seem to work. When the Variable text exceeds the width of the box it just squishes the letters together rather than extending the width of the box to fit the contents. Any ideas?

This is how they are supposed to look (this is the minimum width I've set.)

But is the text gets longer it just squishes the text and doesn't grow the box. (from left to right) I want the folios to stay where thay are.

If I center the text in a longer box and use rules to text length and forgo the auto size I get this. I don't want the folios to move from the corner.

If I make it flush left I get this

I can't really make the ornament centered and the text with rules flush left, as the oranment will center to the box not the text.

My auto size settings are: Auto size On, Width only from left (or right for right hand pages) with a minimum size set to 1.5" wide. Is there something I've missed or a work around? Text is really going to be variable and I can't set these manually in a long book!

Shouldn't this work??

Thanks,

Sue

1. Re: Auto size text box on master page not working

sandeecohen Aug 22, 2013 10:46 AM (in response to SueCampbell54)

I'm not sure you can do this the way you have set it up.

Text Variables are considered a single character, so when they get long, they just squish.

However, I have created what I think you would want by making a single text frame with three lines.

The first and last lines hold the ornament.

The middle line holder the page number code, an em dash, and the variable.

However, rules above and below that line of text that are set to the width of the text.

So as the variable changes width, the rules expand or contract.

I can't tell if the want the ornament centered or flush left.

But if you want, email me at Sandee at sign mac dot com

and I'll send you the ID file so you can see what I did.
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2. Re: Auto size text box on master page not working

sandeecohen Aug 22, 2013 10:53 AM (in response to SueCampbell54)

I just saw that you might want the rules to extend horizontally a little bit around the text as shown in your first sample.

That can be done by varying the Left and Right indents of the rules once they are set to the width of the text column.

(Golly gee, I haven't had to teach this stuff in years. It's so much fun to do it again.)
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3. Re: Auto size text box on master page not working

SueCampbell54 Aug 22, 2013 11:00 AM (in response to sandeecohen)

Sandee,
I'm having trouble making the email to you go. I would love to see what you did. I do want the ornament centered over the unit, but the folio flush left.

I'm going to mess about with the auto width feature to see what's the problem too. I've used variable text for headers before but not coupled with auto size boxes.

Would you mind sending me the file? sue_campbell at macdotcom

Thanks,

Sue
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4. Re: Auto size text box on master page not working

SueCampbell54 Aug 22, 2013 11:10 AM (in response to SueCampbell54)

Ok. So I see now. It that auto size doesn't work with a text variable at all. Bummer. Big bummer.
It works fine with other text, but like you said it reats variable text like it's just one character. Arrgh.
Sue
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5. Re: Auto size text box on master page not working

Willi Adelberger Aug 22, 2013 12:36 PM (in response to SueCampbell54)

Why do you need autoresize on the master page? Make the text frame at maximum size you might need it. It will be invisible any way.
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6. Re: Auto size text box on master page not working

SueCampbell54 Aug 22, 2013 1:44 PM (in response to Willi Adelberger)

Well, I need for the reasons stated above along with visual examples. The problem is the centered ornament, the rules and that variables won't work with auto size.
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7. Re: Auto size text box on master page not working

SueCampbell54 Aug 22, 2013 2:59 PM (in response to SueCampbell54)

Okay. So this is the workaround I came up with it's definitely not what I wanted but as close as I can figure out how to get it sorta like I wanted. The text is still a running header variable. I ditched auto size since that does not work with a variable text item. I went with two boxes one for the folio and ornament, with the ornament stationery centered on the folio. The text box for the variable running header is just longer than I think I need and the text is set with text width rules and an inset. Set flush left. I simply butted the rules in each text box. This will work even tho it's not my preferred design.
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