PDF - differen spacing between text styles of the same kind

[Petra Metz]

Hi,
Can you please give me a hint?

I am using H&M version 7.5.2. I have set up my table of contents and defined styles in which I have specified before and after values. For the PDF output, I have defined a "before" value for the headings and for the text body.

But within one PDF, the spacings between the heading and the previous text body variate.

It doesn't do it with every heading of the same type. It happens quite randomly. At least I think it does. The worst case was that the previous text was printed on top of the next heading.

I checked my values several time and even increased them, but I wasn't able to solve this problem. Plan B is to add an extra line break. But that's not the nicest solution. I attached a screenshot with an example.

Do you have a hint for me where I need to change my settings?

Thank you very much.

[Tim Green]

Hi Petra,

What it actually looks like here is that you haven't defined any space at all above the placeholder for that level in the Topics section of your PDF template. So what happens then is that the space is entirely dependent on the presence of any empty paragraphs or paragraphs with "space after" set at the end of the previous topic.

I would suggest doing two things here: First activate display of paragraph marks in the editor (View > Program Options > Editor) so that you can better see where the space at the end of topics is coming from. Then edit your PDF template and configure the topic title placeholders to create space above them. How to do this is explained in the Manual Designer help in the Designing a Template > Topics Section chapter.

I am using H&M version 7.5.2.

The current build is 7.5.4 Build 4760. You can get the free update installer here:

https://www.helpandmanual.com/downloads.html#oldver

[Petra Metz]

Hi Tim,
thanks for your suggestions.

Yes, I have the paragraph symbol activated, always.

In my Designer I have the following defined for the titles (see screenshot). So it should apply to all titles, and not just to some.

Do you have another idea why the spacing between titles and text body is not always the same?

I will try to updated my H&M version. Thanks for the hint.

Thanks, Petra

[Tim Green]

Hi Petra,

Your topic text placeholder is MUCH too tall. It should only be about 3 lines high and the same height as the band containing it. Also, it is extending beyond the borders of the band -- that is why you are seeing the warning red outline. Adjust its position and size with SHIFT + Arrow Keys and CTRL + Arrow Keys until the red lines just disappear. Then it will be exactly fitted in the band. My guess is that this major error is causing at least some of your problems.

On the spacing in the bands for the individual topic levels: The spacing above the objects in the bands is inserted before the beginning of the topic, before the topic header. Space below the objects in the bands will only be used if the object itself extends down to the border of the band. Please study Designing a Template > Topics Section in the Manual Designer help carefully on this subject, particularly the information on vertical spacing in bands.