Working with Text

Adobe PageMaker allows you to create professional-looking documents using both text and graphics. One of the most common tasks is adding and managing text. Whether you type it directly or import it from another program, PageMaker makes it easy to control how your text appears on the page.

Adding Text to a PageMaker Publication

You can add text to your publication in two main ways:

• Typing the text directly on the page.
• Importing or pasting text from another program such as Microsoft Word.

Method 1: Typing Text Directly

• Click the Text Tool (T) from the toolbox. The cursor changes into an I-beam.
• Click on the page where you want to start typing, or drag to create a rectangular text frame.
• Start typing your content inside the frame. The text stays within the boundary of the frame you created.
• To see the text block’s boundaries, use the Pointer Tool and click anywhere in the text.

Method 2: Importing or Pasting Text

If you already have text written in another program, you can easily paste it into PageMaker.

• Select and copy the text from the original program (like Word) using Edit → Copy.
• Switch to PageMaker using ALT + TAB.
• Click on the page where you want the text to appear.
• Go to Edit → Paste to insert your text.

Changing the Page View

After adding text, you might want to adjust your view to focus on certain parts of the page. Go to the View menu and choose one of these options:

• Actual Size: See your text and graphics as they’ll appear when printed.
• Fit in Window: View the entire page layout.
• Zoom To: Select a zoom percentage (25%, 50%, 100%, etc.).
• Entire Pasteboard: See all objects on the pasteboard.

Selecting Text and Objects

All text in PageMaker exists inside text blocks or text frames. You can select content using different tools depending on your goal.

Using the Text Tool (T)

• Select the Text Tool from the toolbox.
• Click and drag to highlight specific characters or words.
• Double-click a word to select it, or triple-click to select a whole paragraph.

Using the Pointer Tool

• Use the Pointer Tool to select the entire text block.
• When selected, lines (window shades) appear at the top and bottom of the block.
• This is the best method for moving, resizing, or deleting the entire block.

Selecting Multiple Objects

• Click an object once to select it.
• Hold SHIFT to select multiple objects simultaneously.
• Drag the Pointer Tool around multiple objects to select them all at once.
• Hold CTRL and click to select an object hidden underneath another one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Working with text in PageMaker is simple once you understand the basics. You can type or paste text, adjust how it looks, and manage its layout easily using tools like the Text Tool and Pointer Tool. By mastering these features, you can create well-organized and professional-looking publications quickly.