Select a text frame using the Selection tool.
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to connect frames to flow text continuously across pages and layouts in Adobe InDesign.
Threading connects text frames so a single story flows across pages and continues automatically when one frame fills up. Each frame has an in port and an out port to link frames. Empty ports mark the start or end of a story, arrows show linked frames, and a red plus sign in an out port icon indicates overset text with no frame left to hold it.
To view the threading structure, select View > Extras > Show Text Threads. Visual guides appear between connected frames to display the text flow path.
Add a new frame to a thread
Use this method to create and connect a new text frame in one action.
Select the in port to add a frame before the selected frame, or select the out port to add a frame after it.
A. In port with an arrow symbol B. An out port with a red plus sign (+) indicating overset text
Position the loaded text cursor icon where you want the new frame.
Select or drag to create the frame.
While the loaded text pointer is active, you can turn pages, create new pages, and zoom in or out. To cancel threading, select any tool in the toolbar. No text is deleted.
Add an existing frame to a thread
Use this method to connect an unthreaded frame to an existing story.
Select a threaded text frame with the Selection tool.
Select the in port or out port to load the text cursor.
Move the loaded text cursor over the frame you want to connect. The cursor changes to the thread cursor icon.
Select inside the target frame to complete the thread.
When you thread a frame grid to a text frame or another grid with different settings, the destination adopts the source grid settings. You can also add automatic jump lines to track threaded stories.
Add a frame inside a sequence of threaded frames
Use this method to insert a frame between two already connected frames.
Using the Selection tool, select the out port at the point in the story where you want to insert the frame.
When the loaded text cursor appears, drag to create a new frame, or select an existing unthreaded frame.
Unthread text frames
Unthreading breaks the connection between a frame and all subsequent frames in the thread. Any text that previously appeared in the frames becomes overset text (no text is deleted). All subsequent frames are empty.
Select the frame using the Selection tool.
Do one of the following:
- Double-click the in port or out port to break the connection.
- Select a threaded in port or out port to load the text cursor, move it over the connected frame until the unthread cursor icon appears, and select to remove the frame from the thread.
Tip
To divide one story into two separate stories, cut the text intended for the second story, break the connection between frames, and paste the text into the first frame of the new story.
Cut a frame from a thread
Use the Selection tool to select the frame. To select multiple frames, press Shift and select the frames.
Select Edit > Cut.
Navigate to the page where you want the frame to appear.
Select Edit > Paste.
Delete a frame from a thread
Use the Selection tool and select the frame.
Press Backspace or Delete.
A deleted frame disappears, and its text flows to the next frame in succession. If the text frame isn't connected to other frames, both the frame and its text are deleted.
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