Floating text outside a frame

[HiyaKath]

This might belong in the Printed Output section, but I think it is something fixed with styles so I'll start here.

I would like to have a two-page layout where the bulk of text is in a frame 2/3 of the page and the outside 1/3 is white space. But I would like the option to put selected items into the white space - notes, or images, headings.

I was able to set up a div class that worked as a kind of text box for when the white space is on the left of the page. But when it is on the right all the text gets squished up no wider than one letter. Images work fine, but if there is text it is like it is bumping up against a margin that I haven't been able to change.

So - is such a layout even possible to achieve? If anyone has tried such a thing, how did you do it? Maybe my idea of divs isn't the best approach.

Thanks for any ideas.

Kath

[jasonsmith]

Have you investigated the Text Box Feature of Flare?

[HiyaKath]

Thanks for the suggestion Jason.

I did try text boxes, but as far as I can tell they will sit inside the page layout frame. I would like something that I can place in the white space outside the frame.

It is also possible that what I'm picturing isn't actually achievable and so I will have to come up with a different look.

Thanks,
Kath

[LTinker68]

I think adding a third frame to the page layout is your best bet. The downside is that I think you might have to put defined page breaks to prevent unwanted text from appearing those times you don't want content there. Or use header styles that always start on the next page. Or have two page layouts - one with the frame and one without - and define which one is used for each topic (or group of topics) in the TOC.

[jasonsmith]

You can choose to float the text box outside, or to the left or right of the Frame in the Text Box Properties Dialog (right-click the text box div and select TextBox) . I had a quick look and this seems to work for PDFs but not Word Outputs.

[HiyaKath]

Thanks Jason!

That looks like it might do the trick. Odd that there are more options available after you insert the text box than while inserting, but good to know they are there.

Thanks for your suggestion as well Lisa. I'm going to fiddle more with the frames on the page layout to see what flows best (pun intended I suppose).

Thanks,
Kath