Rules between every line of text

[S***@adobeforums.com]

In a paragraph, I need to add a solid rule between every line of text, one under the whole paragraph and one above, width of column. Is there another way than using paragraph rules? I want to avoid having to make a hard return at the end of every line. And just drawing rules between the lines is no option, because it has to be used again and again, and the text length may vary, so it would be great to kind of automate it.

Edit: I am currently using CS2, but it wouldn't matter if there would be a solution in CS3 only.

[unknown]

Use a table.

Bob

[S***@adobeforums.com]

Yes, I thought about that. But the text has to be written in the box on the fly and in the best case the rules just appear. If I used a table I had to jump into the next line using the tab, so I could just use a paragraph style and hit return at the end of every line. And I'd like to avoid that to stay flexible, if I had to edit the text at some point.

[K***@adobeforums.com]

What about setting an underline and a rule above at the paragraph level?
As you begin the paragraph, you would get a column-wide rule above the
first line. As you type, you would get a text-wide rule under the text
and under every following line.

The only problem would be if this paragraph abuts other paragraphs of
the same style. You would get both the underline under the last line and
the rule above of the next paragraph.

[P***@adobeforums.com]

I think Kenneth is on the right track. If the last rule needs to be column-width too, I'd add a paragraph rule below as well as the one above.

You might need to play with leading and offset values for both the underlines and the paragraph rules so that everything is spaced properly, with the rule blow falling tin the same position as the underline, particularly if you have two paragraphs in a row that need to be treated this way, but the whole shebang can be used to define a paragraph style to be used over and over.

On another note, though, this sounds like really hard text for the reader to actually read.

Peter

[M***@adobeforums.com]

The only problem would be if …




Actually, that's not really a problem unless you consider requiring another sytle sheet or two a problem. But there is a real problem. This idea only works on justified text.

P.S. Properly done I don't see how this ruling makes the text hard to read. In some cases it could even enhance legibility, similar to using eye-tracking.

[K***@adobeforums.com]

Post by M***@adobeforums.com
This idea only works on justified text.

You're assuming Silke wants column-width lines between lines of text. It
sounded to me like Silke wants column-width lines at top and bottom
(paragraph rules) and text-width lines between (underlines).

[M***@adobeforums.com]

I need to add a solid rule between every line of text, one under the whole
paragraph and one above, width of column.




Fair assumption given the quote above. The assumption that the rules between text need only be the width the of the text is derivative of the solution proposed. That seems to beg the question.

[K***@adobeforums.com]

Post by S***@adobeforums.com
I need to add a solid rule between every line of text, one under the
whole paragraph and one above, width of column.
Fair assumption given the quote above. The assumption that the rules
between text need only be the width the of the text is derivative of
the solution proposed. That seems to beg the question.

The assumption that the rules between need be text width is derivative
of the fact that no other requirement was mentioned. The "one under the
whole paragraph" should be the width of the whole paragraph. The "one
above, width of column" should be the width of the column. The "solid
rule between every line of text" could be any length.

Given the lack of information, your assumption is just as valid as mine.
I'll admit column width makes more sense, but this construction didn't
make much sense to me when I first read the post. I've only seen this
device (rules between continuous lines of text) used in advertising
copy, never enough lines to bother trying to find an automated way to
accomplish it.

BTW, I'm just a little offended at the suggestion that I'm trying to fit
the problem to the solution. I'll admit that even I don't always
understand what's going on in my own head, but that doesn't mean anyone
else knows better. :^)

Besides, justified copy might be a small price to pay to get this to work.

[M***@adobeforums.com]

I'm just a little offended at the suggestion that I'm trying to fit the
problem to the solution




Sorry, but I think you're making more of this than necessary. No offense was intended. I was merely pointing out that labelling my statement as an assumption seemed to be a common error of logic. The OP did specify width of column, and the alternative solution given, that of breaking every line with a hard return and using paragraph rules, makes it patently clear that width of column referred to all rules. I don't really think I assumed anything.

The OP may indeed be using justified text, and justified text would probably look better in such an application, but if not, changing the design to suit the solution doesn't seem entirely reasonable to me.

[S***@adobeforums.com]

Hi all,
I'm sorry that I confused you.

What I need is that every rule is as wide as the column. And unfortunately it should not be justified text, but aligned left.

But I see that probably the only way would be to make a return at the end of every line and use a paragraph rule above and below the lines.

Thanks for your ideas, guys!

[K***@adobeforums.com]

Is it possible you could just put rules in the background on the master
page (like writing on lined paper)? This would only work if all your
text is using these rules, and only the spacing above and below the
paragraph is the same as the lead.

[j***@adobeforums.com]

What about a combination?

Copy your paragraph style and add a rule above.

Make a new text frame, the size of your original text, and place it under the text. Fill with single returns until satisfied.

If your text changes, and has more or fewer lines, add or delete returns in the other frame.

[M***@adobeforums.com]

There is another more graphic approach: Draw a rule, step it in increments of the leading, group it, and then paste it in at the end of the paragraph.

If this is needed several times, you could save the grouped rules as a snipit and bring it in at will. Make the original with enough rules for the longest paragraph and delete those that are unnecessary as the specific case requires.

I found this quite quick and easy. The initial test took only two minutes or so. The one big drawback is that this won't work on text that breaks at columns or pages.