Importing Text from Other Applications

You can import text created in other applications into Canvas X Draw. This capability is especially useful if you are compiling documents from different applications into a Canvas X layout; e.g., you might need to assemble a publication with contributions from several writers who each use different word processors.

Canvas X Draw supports several methods for importing text. You can open a text file, place a text file, paste text from the Clipboard into a Canvas X document, and use OLE.

The Import command is used to import raster images, not text.

Opening a text file with the Open command creates a new Canvas X Publication document for the imported file. Placing, pasting, and embedding text inserts the text into the current document. For information on pasting text from the Clipboard, see Copying, Pasting, Deleting, and Moving Text Selections.

The formatting of imported text might differ from the formatting of the original text in its native application. Although some software products might have similar capabilities, the methods used can vary significantly. It might be necessary to reformat imported text using the typographic tools in Canvas X Draw.

Embedded Text Objects and Editions Containing Text

In Windows, use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) to insert text in a Canvas X document with the Paste Special command.

However, Canvas X Draw treats embedded text objects and editions as objects, not text. You cannot apply effects, such as wraps or binds, to text in these objects. In addition, Canvas X Draw cannot spell check, or format this text. All formatting and effects must be performed in the original application or publisher. For more details and procedures, see Using Object Linking and Embedding.

Placing Text in Documents

Place text by typing or pasting text from the Clipboard. You can also place text by choosing File | Place.

If you have difficulty opening or placing a text document because of the formatting, try converting the file to plain text before importing the file. Also, try copying and pasting the text you want to import. This removes formatting that Canvas X Draw doesn’t understand.

To place text using the same margins as the original file, click the Place icon in the document. If the file you are importing contains text only (no images or objects), you can also drag the Place pointer to simultaneously import and set margins for the text. However, if the file you want to import has images or objects, dragging the Place icon scales the text, images, and objects as a group.

To Place Text into Sections:

To create sections in a document, see Creating Columns. Use the Place command to place text from a text file into a section.

1. Select the Text tool and click at the top of the first column in the section. An insertion point appears in the column at the height where you clicked.
2. Choose File | Place. Select the text file you want to place and click Place. The text from the text file appears in the section and flows from column to column.

If the final column in a section contains overset text, you can flow the text into another text object or section, or resize the section to contain the overset text. (See Flowing Overset Text into New Text Columns.)

To Paste Text into a Section:

After you create a section, you can paste text from the Clipboard to create text columns. (See Creating Columns.)

1. Use the Edit | Copy command to place text on the Clipboard.
2. Select the Text tool and click at the top of the first column in the section. An insertion point appears in the column at the height where you clicked.
3. Choose Edit | Paste. The text on the Clipboard appears in the section and flows from column to column.

If the final column in a section contains overset text, you can flow the text into another text object or section, or resize the section to contain the overset text. (See Flowing Overset Text into New Text Columns.)