For instance, if there aren’t enough lines at the end of the paragraph, some lines from the previous page will be forced to the next page. Once set, these commands work automatically to move lines across the page break.

Enter a number for the End to ensure that there are at least a certain number of lines at the end of a paragraph. Enter a number for the Start value to ensure that there are at least a certain number of lines at the start of a paragraph. The Start and End values let you specify how many lines must stay together to start or end a paragraph. In QuarkXPress, choose Style > Formats to open the Paragraph Attributes dialog box (Figure 1).įigure 2: Keep Lines Together in Adobe InDesign Both QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign have controls that can automatically keep lines together. I’d rather call both problems “line orphans.” The word “line” explains that we’re talking about a line of text and the word “orphan” explains that it is has been separated from its family.įortunately, word processing and page layout programs have made it very easy to control line orphans. And then others call both problems orphans. Still other sources call both problems widows. Some sources call the first problem a widow and the second an orphan. The confusion as to what to call these problems is rampant. Look at all that ugly white space at the top of column! This type of problem is especially awful if the last line is a short one. This is when the last line of a paragraph is sent, all by itself, across a page or column break, as shown above.

The second type of layout problem is the reverse of the first. Typographic problem #2: The last line of a paragraph is sent all alone to the next page when a paragraph breaks across a column or page.

Word widows and orphans