Adding text in InDesign is very different from how you would add text with other programs. With InDesign, you need to work with text frames, shapes, and ports. Read this InDesign tutorial to learn how text works with InDesign.

Adding text with InDesign

Text frames

How text frames work

Most of the text created with InDesign is created by adding text frame. Unlike the usual ways of adding text in most other types of programs, InDesign requires that you draw a text frame before typing the text.

This may seem awkward at at a glance, but when you start your first InDesign project, you will find text frames more convenient than normal methods of entering text. With text frames, you can can make text fit into certain layouts such as the three column layout shown below. The text automatically continues from the first column to the second and third.

You can even make text wrap around objects or any shape.

How to draw text frames

1. Select the from the toolbar.
2. Draw a text frame frame by holding down the left mouse button and dragging. Estimate how much space you need to add the text but don't be too picky about it; you can always edit the frame later. Release the left mouse button to complete the text frame.
   
3. Input text.
   

How to draw shape text frames

1. Select any one of the following tools from the toolbar to draw any shape that you like.
   
2. Draw any shape using the tool that you selected.
   
3. Select the from the toolbar.
4. Click inside the shape that you created and input text.
   

How to edit text frames

Resize text frame

If you want to edit text frames, select from the tool bar then click on the text frame. You will see nodes on the corners and sides. Click and drag on those nodes to resize the text frame.

If your text frame is too large and you want to make it fit the exact size of the text, click on the button. This button is available in the option palette after you use the to select the text frame.

How to thread text frames

Sometimes when you input larger amounts of text into a text frame, you'll realize that it doesn't fit inside the text frame. You can enlarge it, but that is not always possible. Threading solves this issue by connecting text frames into a story. A story is a piece of text, such as an article, inside a single or multiple text frames.

When you enter text into a text frame and you run out of room, the out port on the bottom right of the text frame will be colored red. This is an indication that there is more text that cannot be displayed because there is not enough room in the text frame.

You can click on the red out port and click anywhere to extend the text into another text frame. InDesign will automatically create a text frame with the continued text.