reflowbaren

Reflowbaren, or reflowable content, is a term used in digital publishing to describe text that can adapt its line breaks and pagination to the size and orientation of the reader’s device. Unlike fixed-layout formats, where pages are static, reflowable content lets the text reflow when the window is resized, the font is changed, or the display switches between portrait and landscape.

How it works: Reflowable text is encoded with markup such as HTML and styled with CSS. The reader’s software determines line length, word breaks, and font rendering. Users can usually adjust font size, margins, line height, and sometimes font choice. Images are typically embedded inline with text and scale with the text, or appear as separate blocks that reflow around the text.

Formats and standards: The most common reflowable formats are EPUB 2 and EPUB 3, which rely on HTML and CSS. Kindle formats (MOBI/AZW) also support reflowable text. HTML-based e-books and many web-based readers support reflowable content. Accessibility features, including screen reader compatibility and proper hyphenation, are important benefits.

Advantages and limitations: Reflowable content improves readability on small screens, supports adjustable typography, and enhances accessibility. Its limitations include difficulty preserving complex layouts, fixed-position elements, and multi-column designs. For heavily illustrated, highly designed pages, fixed-layout formats may be preferred to retain visual fidelity.