Need Help - Create Directory Book

[bgbs]

Hi, I'm trying to build a 50 page member directory with Indesign cs3. The page will be divided into 3 columns, and in the columns is where I would put contact text by company(and I dont know whether to do it with tables or some other way) and then the Ads will go between the text, extending even over columns. Some ads will take the whole page or even two pages. Some ads will go over 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 page. So what I need to do is be able to put the ads so that the text will shift to the next colum or next page, depending on how the ad is placed. The reason why this is is very important for me is that if I will be doing future publication of the directory, I would have to start all over again every time. But if the text will shift when I update the directory, that will work out just perfectly. I wonder if anyone has a clue on how to accomplish this. Sources will be greatly appreciate. I just need to know where to start since I'm trying to get the hang with Indesign.

Thanks ahead of time.

[The Repro Kid]

You can "anchor" the graphics into the text and then update the links when a particular ad changes.

[AdobeAce]

Hi bgbs,

Until I read Repro's response, I thought I understood exactly what you are trying to do.

If you want the ads to move with the listings, Repro's right on the money.

But if you want to be able to just place the ads anywhere and have the type jump to the next available column or page, that's another story. Import an ad (I'm assuming they're high-res Acrobats) -- File>Place. With an ad's picture Frame still selected, apply a "Jump Object" Wrap in the Wraps panel (Window>Text Wrap). This method will push your listings to the next column available. The text Frames should be set up on a Master Page when you first set up your document, so the listings can flow throughout your document from Frame to Frame.

As far the formatting of the listings themselves, you may want to consider using Nested Styles. This allows you to have Character Style nested right into a Paragraph Style. With this, you could have the name of the company possible in bold and contact information in regular and maybe website and email in italic. What's great about it is that if your Nested Style is set up correctly, you could do all of your formatting with a single click of a the Paragraph Style.

Hope this helps! :D

Ace

[eugenetyson]

Check out Tim Coles tutorial on Anchored objects.

http://indesignsecrets.com/tim-coles-anchored-frames-productivity-tutorial.php

That should be a massive help to you.