You Can't Force Images and Text to Stay On The Same Page

The answer is:  sometimes.  Generally, the answer is really “no,” because unlike print formatting, eBook formatting does not have precise control over vertical and horizontal alignment.  As we discuss in Text reflows--or wraps. and Is it true that readers can change how my book looks?, text in ebooks reflows.  This means that when people resize the font, as the sample images in those articles show, the reflow of the text might move an image to the next screen.  Or, it may move a caption for an image to a new screen.

For some things, like images with captions, we can use commands called “keep-togethers," but not every device honors this command.  In fact, most don't honor the command.  We put the commands in there, to "future-proof" the book, so that when the devices do honor the commands, the images and captions will stay together--but for now, the vast majority simply ignore it.  Therefore, while we do the best we can, we can’t guarantee that certain things will stay together on every device, at every font size, and every font, available on the market.   

As you can see in the linked articles, the text highlighted in purple (for the Prince and the Pauper examples) is on one page with the image when the font is smaller.  When the user makes the font larger, the text becomes separated from the image on a new "page."  This is the challenge of ebooks--they are constantly changed by the readers, using smaller and larger fonts, different-sized devices and in some cases, even different fonts. 

Devices don't really "understand" the idea of two separate elements--an image and its caption--as being part of the whole.  That's why the images and the text can "come apart."  (This doesn't happen in Fixed Format, but that's a route you should take only if absolutely required. You can read about Fixed-Format eBooks in the eBook Productions section by clicking that link, if you think you need that layout option.)  

It's important to embrace the concept of "reflowing text" as you embark on your digital publishing journey, as this will save you a lot of aggravation and stress.

T'was the Night Before Christmas... 

 (With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, may he forgive my doggerel...)

...and all through the shop,
all we minions were working,
   until ready to drop.

The ebooks were flying,
the covers were spare,
The edits were crazy,
   with "one more thing I must share!"

We waited for Santa,
'Cuz we love old Saint Nick,
But Hitch made us work,
   Waving 'round an old stick!

So slave we all did,
And made all your books,
So that Hitch would say now,
   that we're off the hook.

Come today we're off,
to rest up our fingers,
Our hats we will doff,
   No books they do linger.

But we'll all be back,
Don't give it a thought,
for like all wage slaves,
   we're easily bought.

We'll be back on the fifth,
all eager and fresh,
All ready for you,
   after a well-deserved rest.

So Hitch wants to say,
very strongly and loud,
THANKS ALL YOU GUYS,
  you're the best type of crowd.

Indy and Len and Hitch and the gang,
will be back on the 5th,
to do books with a BANG!

In the meantime don't worry,
if you're in a hurry,
'cuz some poor guy got stuck
   sitting here like a duck.

Your emails we'll receive,
so no need to grieve.
We'll be a bit slow,
but we're raring to go.

Your books will be worked on,
your edits still made,
we're just resting a bit,
   before we all fade.

So please excuse the delays;
It won't be for days;
we'll jump on your queries,
   for your wondrous new series.

We waited for Santa,
'Cuz we love old St. Nick,
And sure 'nuff he came,
   It wasn't a trick.

And as he rode off,
into the night,
I could swear I heard Hitch yell,
   "That Edit's Not Right!"

~~~~~~~~~~

We'll be back on the morning of January 5th; we'll be here parttime between now and then, thanks.