topic Re: First line indent has no effect. in Arbortext

First line indent has no effect.

Partner — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:18:10 GMT

I have a text inside a definition, when this text is a large text, I am unable to shift the content to the left margin is equal to the starting line. Inside PTC Arbortext Styler, setting indent has no effect or the undesired result.

I have attached a screenshot, you'll see "filling] of the act", that is the portion I want to show flush to "file" the previous line, in fact any long content should not be shifted to the left that way.

Thanks.

Re: First line indent has no effect.

ClayHelberg — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:12:15 GMT

I guess you are modifying the style for the <Text> element? A few questions:

How is <Text> styled? As Paragraph, Block, Inline, something else?
Do you have a specific style context for Text in Definition?
Do you have other contexts or conditions for the styling of Text that may be overriding your settings here?

Re: First line indent has no effect.

Partner — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:09:10 GMT

1. Text is Inline, his parent is a Block (Definition element)

2.It follows multiple XPath test conditions.

3.I don't see any other properties overridden.

Re: First line indent has no effect.

ClayHelberg — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:40:20 GMT

If your <Text> element is styled as inline, then you can't assign indents to it, because indenting an inline element doesn't really make sense (and Styler won't let you do it--the indent controls are grayed out for inline elements).

So are you assigning the indent values on the <Definition> element? If so, you would need to check to make sure that the rule you want for the <Definition> element is applying to this particular <Definition> element in your document, i.e. that any contexts or conditions are picking the right style definition with the desired indents.

You seem to have a custom doctype, but I did a quick test with a DITA reference topic, adding an <example> element (Block style) and a very long <ph> element (Inline style). Setting indents on the <example> element causes the expected indenting, complete with wrapping the inline element at the requested indent. So I think in your case, the <Definition> style is where you need to be troubleshooting your indent issue.

Re: First line indent has no effect.

anursingh — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:09:34 GMT

Hi @Partner,

I wanted to see if you got the help you needed.

If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. It will help other members who may have the same question.
Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please pursue the conversation.

Thanks,
Anurag