Assign text frame to a paragraph's first line

Question

I'm working on a book with complicated layout.

Each spread has three text features:

• A — main text paragraph
• B — side text paragraph
• C — paragraph number

Each A-paragraph must have a number. I figured out how to assign it automatically. Also each A-paragraph must have a B-paragraph aligned with it. I have no idea how to accomplish it.

Right now I do it manually by adding a text frame and aligning it with the first line of the A-paragraph. How can I automate it?

Answer 1

You need to use Anchored Objects.

• Cut your side text paragraph frame.
• Place the text cursor in the beginning of the main paragraph.
• Paste in the side text frame.
• Select it, right-click it and choose Anchored Object > Options.
• Set Position to Custom and setup Anchored Object and Anchored Position appropriately for your design.
• With the anchored object selected, create a new Object Style so you can easily apply the same settings to new text frames.

Now you can simply paste in side text frames in the beginning of paragraphs, and they will position themselves correctly and follow the main text as it flows.

Note that there is now a marker in the text where you pasted in the anchored object:

If you delete it, the anchored object will also be deleted.