Desktop Publishing: Working with Text Blocks and Handles
DTP Text Block Handles

Understanding Text Blocks in PageMaker

In desktop publishing, specifically PageMaker, the standard container for your content is the Text Block. These blocks are dynamic frames that can be reshaped, resized, and linked to other parts of your publication.

Window Shade Handles

The defining feature of a text block is the window shade handles located at the top and bottom. These handles act as interactive bars that allow you to adjust how much text is visible at once. By dragging these handles up or down, you can expand or collapse the container to fit your layout needs.

Shade Handles
Efficiency Tip: Think of text blocks like real-life window shades. "Rolling up" the handle doesn't delete the text; it simply hides it until you decide to "roll it down" again.
rolled up and Rolled Down

Managing Overset Text

When you shrink a text block, some of the text may disappear from view. This is called overset text. The content still exists within the document, but it is currently "hidden" because the block is too small to display it. Identifying which handle represents hidden text is vital for ensuring no part of your story is lost during printing.

Managing Overset Text

Types of Window Shade Symbols

There are four distinct indicators found in shade handles. Mastering these icons will help you navigate complex, multi-page layouts:

  • Empty Handle (Top): Indicates the very beginning of a story. No text exists before this point.
    • Empty Handle (Top)
  • Empty Handle (Bottom): Indicates the absolute end of a story. All text has been successfully displayed.
    • Empty Handle (Bottom)
  • Plus (+) Symbol: This means the story is threaded (connected) to another text block elsewhere, or the content has been rolled up into the handle.
    • plus symbol in pagemaker
  • Arrow Symbol: This signifies overset text. It is an alert that there is more content that cannot fit in the current block. Clicking this arrow "loads" the remaining text into your cursor for placement on a new page.
    • Window Shade Handle Indicators

Some times you can see a dotted like below the window shade handles. This dotted line indicates how far down yhou need to pull the window shade handles to see the next line of text.

dotted like below the shade handles

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does shrinking a text block delete my words?

No. Shrinking a block only makes the text "overset" or hidden. You can drag the bottom handle back down at any time to reveal your original content.

2. What should I do if I see an Arrow in my handle?

An arrow is a warning. You must either expand the block or click the arrow to "load" the text cursor and continue the story in a new text block on another page.

3. What is the meaning of the Plus (+) symbol?

A Plus symbol confirms that the story is linked (threaded) to another block. If you delete one linked block, the text will simply flow back into the remaining connected containers.

4. I see a dotted line below my handle. What is it?

This is a helpful visual guide. It shows the exact height needed to reveal at least one more complete line of text, preventing "cutoff" letters at the bottom.

5. How can I move a whole story without changing the shape?

Always drag from the center of the block rather than the handles. Dragging the handles will reshape the box, while clicking the body of the block will move the entire element.

Conclusion

Mastering text blocks and their respective handles is the foundation of effective document design. By paying close attention to the visual symbols on each handle, you can prevent layout errors and ensure that your story flows perfectly from the first page to the last.

Next Lesson: Threading and Linking Text →

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