Importing text from other applications
You can import text created in other applications into Canvas. This
capability is especially useful if you are compiling documents from
different applications into a Canvas layout. For example, you might
need to assemble a publication with contributions from several writ-
ers who each use different word processors.
Canvas supports several methods for importing text. You can open a
text file, place a text file, paste text from the Clipboard into a Canvas
document, and use object embedding or Publish and Subscribe. The
Acquire command, however is used to import raster images, not text.
Opening a text file with the Open command creates a new Canvas
Publication document for the imported file. Placing, pasting, and
embedding text inserts the text into the current document. For infor-
mation on pasting text from the Clipboard, see Copying, pasting,
deleting, and moving text selections on page 27.516.
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.
To place a text file in an existing Canvas document
You can place text using the Place command. See Placing text using
the Place command on page 26.505.
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.
Embedded text objects and editions containing text
In Windows, you can use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) to
insert text in a Canvas document with the Paste Special command.
You can also use Publish and Subscribe in the Mac OS to subscribe
to an edition that contains text.
However, Canvas 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 cannot spell check, hyphen-
Tip
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 doesnt understand.