Expert: Roy Wilhelm - 9/22/2008

Question
I have imported several word documents by auto flowing the text using a text box on the master page. I have a table of contents page and cover letter in the front that I have taken only some of the master page items off of (page number etc) but it still has the text box. Now, my text box that I had on my master page doesn't seem to be linked to the rest of my document anymore. When I change the size of it, it doesn't change on my whole document anymore. What happened?

Answer
Once you make Master Page items active on normal pages, they are no longer linked to the Master Page.

If your text box is aligned to your margins, you should look into the "Layout Adjustment" feature under Layout. After enabling the feature, go to your master page (make sure both pages in the spread are selected) and go to Layout>Margins and Columns. Make your adjustments to the margins and all the text boxes will automatically resize.

Pay close attention to the "Snap Zone." This defines which objects will be affected. If you leave it at the 0p2 default, any object that is within 2 points of any of the margins will move when you make margin adjustments.