How to Fix Overset Text Bug in InDesign [COMPLETE GUIDE]

fix Overset Text in Indesign

Did you see a little ‘+’ sign at the bottom of the text frame, or encountering an error message you need to fix an overset text problem while trying to export the InDesign file?

Looking at how to fix overset text in InDesign, then follow the below-given ways one by one accordingly.

The Overset text appears when the text box is very small for the type included in it. And this is what results in missing words, paragraphs, or even the whole pages in the document.

Although InDesign displays this in the Story Editor and the normal layout view as well it is yet can be easily missed and causes terrible results.

Well if you are an experienced InDesign user, it is very simple to fix the overset text problem on Indesign CS3, CS4, and others, but if you are new with InDesign then it can be quite a difficult situation for you.

If you want to overcome from this issue then you are at the right place, here in this blog you will learn several different ways to fix the overset text. But before going to the solutions first it is required to find the Overset Text in InDesign.

Follow the below-given steps and find out the overset text in InDesign

How to Find Overset Text in InDesign?

In the CS3 and earlier, it was really difficult to find out the overset text (while there was a script to find out this). But from CS4, it becomes simple to find overset text comparatively the previous versions CS3 and earlier. One can easily find out the Overset text in CS4 and the upper version if they know where to look.

At the Preflight panel, whenever there is overset text, you will see a red circle in the lower-left corner of the document window which also contains other insights like the number of errors your document has.

But in case you have turned off Preflight OR you’re using a preflight profile that doesn’t check for overset text then you will never find out the overset text. That’s why it is recommended to always turn on the preflight panel; if it is active then it will check for the overset issue.

If you are seeing the red circle then you need to double-click on the red circle in order to see the Preflight panel OR you can also find the panel in the Window menu. Now, the Preflight panel will display that you have a “text” error. Hold down the Option/Alt key and then click on the “expand” triangle, and this will display all the text problems which will also include the oversets issues.

After finding out the Overset text in your INDD file now you need to fix them, in order to fix InDesign Overset text issue you should follow the below-given methods one by one:

How to Fix the Overset Text in InDesign?

Well, there are three ways you need to try to fix the InDesign Overset text bug.  Make sure to follow the ways given one by one carefully and check which one works for you.

How to Fix Overset Text Manually?

In order to do this, you need to click on the red box present at the lower right of the text frame. After clicking your cursor will become a loaded place gun. After it draws a new frame where you want to place it.

In order to reveal overset text via keyboard, you need to use the shortcut: Cmd+Option+C/Ctrl+Alt+C. After doing so, check if the Overset text in InDesign.

How to Fix Overset Semi-Automatically?

In order to automatically flow the text via enough new pages and frames to accommodate the overset text:

  • Click on the red box present at the lower right of the text frame.
  • After it, go to page and Shift + Click on the top left corner of the margin area.

Note: If you want to create a new page on the current page then press shift + Ctrl + P.

How to Fix Overset Fully Automatically?

Navigate to the Preferences -> Type -> Smart Text Reflow = ON, and Limit to Primary Text Frames = OFF.

If you find any overset text then delete the last text frame in the story and InDesign will automatically attach new text frames and pages.

In order to get rid of text overset issue via any other method – needs for auto-flowing your text, then it is highly recommended that you should go with the Primary Text Frame.

Moreover, there is an easy keyboard shortcut that you can try to delete the Overset text in InDesign. Here, first, you need to place the text cursor at the end of the text you want to keep.

For Windows users – Press Ctrl + Shift + End for selecting entire Overset text and after that hit the Delete key to remove it.

For Mac users – Press Cmd + Shift + fn + Right-arrow for selecting all Overset Text > after that hit Delete to remove it

So, this is how you can fix overset text in InDesign and hopefully, the issue is resolved now.

Conclusion:

So, this is all about the overset text problem in InDesign. I tried my best o list down the complete information related to the Overset Text and ways to fix the InDesign Overset Text bug.

Make sure to follow the ways given carefully and check if you are able to resolve the Overset Text bug in Indesign.

It is expected the article works for you but if still you are having any doubt, comment or suggestion then feel free to share with us.

Good Luck..!