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Adobe InDesign/Importing from online Victorian periodical into InDesign 2-col template

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Expert: - 1/29/2012


Question
Hi Pat,
I'm working on an open access Uni based research project that is making the weekly mags superbly edited by Charles Dickens for 20+ years, freely available for education, entertainment, research etc. As well as the web-archive we are going to offer print-on-demand re-typeset 'facsimile' re-issues of the annual volumes, at cost (20GBP for a 700-page volume, with new introduction, TOCs etc.). We've got an In-design template that we wish to populate with the XHTML for each page. We can already export via XML, or LaTex. But I think we need some neat scripting (I'm no expert) so that each 2-col page fills up nicely. At present, columns are not balanced, and it's a bit erratic. Our betasite is live at www.djo.org.uk  We have an excellent tech manager, but this needs specialist help! We've a LITTLE in the kitty--but not much time if we're to publish in time for the project launch on 28 March (!)>> It would be great if you could help. Many thanks, John Drew

Answer
Hi John,

Sorry for the slow reply.

If I understand you correctly, perhaps the Balance Columns option will do what you need?
- Select the text box
- Choose Text Frame Options from the Object menu
- Select the Balance Columns checkbox
- click OK

If that doesn't do the trick, then we will need to look at the problem in more detail - let me know!

Pat

Adobe InDesign

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Pat Bensky

Expertise

My specialty is database publishing: using InDesign to produce publications such as catalogues, directories, price lists, classified ads etc. - anything that's based on data from a database or spreadsheet.

Experience

I have been working with page layout programs since the very first first of QuarkXPress back in .... 1987? I've worked with InDesign since it first came out and have helped many clients to create their publications using database publishing methods, and have written an application to streamline the process (CatBase).

Publications
As I used to be a journalist working for an international news agency (in a previous lifetime) I have been published in many publications around the world. As for technology writing: I was Editor-in-Chief of a Mscintosh magazine (MacGuide) and have written for various other publications on a freelance basis, such as The LA Weekly and InfoWorld.

Education/Credentials
College: Certificate in computer programming and information Processing University: Post-graduate diploma in IT (Liverpool University)

Past/Present Clients
Barclays Bank, Stanley Tools, Europa Components, The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham), and many others. My software (CatBase) has also been used by design firms to produce publications for such clients as Kellogg's, The English Tourist Board. and numerous others.

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