The following are examples of common mistakes in file organization within InDesign.

Common mistake 1: Lists that don't inset.

In Figure 1 is shown an indented list compared to one that isn't.

Figure 1. An indented list compared to one that isn't

The process for indenting a list is simple:

First make a left paragraph indent to a positive value.
Then make a first line indent to a negative value

This process is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Indenting a list

Common mistake 2: text frame badly positioned

It is easy to allow your frames to become un-aligned with the margin. Shown Figure 3 is (incorrect) a frame that is both unaligned and the wrong shape The correction puts this right.

Figure 3. A poorly aligned text frame plus correction

Common mistake 3: facing pages left on

By default, 'File/Document Setup/Facing Pages' is active. This produces a document that is best suited for printing but not for screen. Ever tried to read a supposedly screen-ready pdf only to find yourself looking a set of facing pages? Not nice. Facing pages can be turned on/off via File/Document Setup (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Facing pages in action

Common mistake 4: missing fonts

When moving between computers, it is common that the installed fonts on one computer do not match those on another. For this reason it is strongly suggested that you keep to the default fonts installed on the school computer. For students moving between Mac and PC, you may wish to look at cross-platform fonts. Missing fonts will be highlighted in InDesign in pink (Figure 5). Alternately, install the missing font!

Figure 5. Missing fonts highlighted in pin

Common mistake 5: not using styles

InDesign manages long documents using paragraph and character styles. To work on a long document without styles (Figure 6) is a truly horrible experience.

Figure 6. Lack of styles in a long document

Common mistake 6: overset text

Overset text is when the text overflows from a text frame. This is signified by the little icon in the bottom corner of the text frame. It is also detected by the 'Preflight' Panel. Either the text frame needs to be made bigger (Figure 7), or text threading (Figures 8 and 9) should be employed.

Figure 7. Text frame made larger to accommodate overset text

Figure 8. Text flowing into a new frame

Figure 9. Text flowing into an existing frame

Common mistake 7: overlapping frames

In the Figure 10, many text frames are overlapping each other. This make it confusing to manage. Also... the frames do not align to the margins of the page and there is no text threading, so changing the size of a box could risk oversetting the text. This manner of working might be acceptable in a poster design in Illustrator, but it is a season in hell in long document production.

Figure 10. Overlapping text frames, with no text threading

In Figure 11, the page has been tidied up substantially. Clear gaps between the frames are maintained, the text frames align with the margins of the page, and text threading has been employed. Sanity is restored to the land, and there was peace ever after.

Figure 11. Fixed!

Common mistake 8: defining spaces using frames

This is similar to the preceding example. In InDesign, the spaces in a book or magazine are generally defined using styles. Figure 12 shows a spaces defined by text frames. To do this across an entire book is madness. Also... the underline on the title has been made with a line object. Of course, there is no text threading either.

Figure 12. Spaces defined by text frames

In Figure 13, the page has been tidied up. All text has been placed inside of one text frame, and all spaces are defined by style attributes. Also, the line under the title is now defined by a style ('Paragraph Rules').

Figure 13. Fixed!