[CS3 JS] Move pages from one document to another?

I know it's quite an old topic, but I'd like share, that you actually can move pages using scripting, and of course using the Page.move() function.

its syntax goes like this:
Page.move(to, reference, binding)

where 'to' stands for a LocationOption, to specify where you want to place the page relative to the reference object.
'reference' is the key part, because it can also be a page in any open document, you just need to refer to it.
'binding' defines the location of the binding spine.

And an example, to see this in action:
// Script from here
var coverDoc = app.documents.item('cover_document');
var pagesToMove = coverDoc.pages.itemByRange(0, 1);
var chapterDoc = app.documents.item('chapter_document');
pagesToMove.move(LocationOptions.BEFORE, chapterDoc.pages.item(0));
// Script until here

You may also use duplicate() the same way, if you want to keep the original pages. (however, it doesn't have the 'binding' parameter)

I hope it can help you!
Bali

Thanks so much for taking the time to work this through, Loic! I really appreciate it. I will give the script a test drive tomorrow.

Thanks,
Matt

ok here we are
I get a raw skeleton that you will have to adjust but it's functional.
Use a PDF for placement as you can specify the page that you want to place.
I don't know if you can do the same for indesign files.

So basically, it starts adding 2 pages and placeing the pdf in the same time.
After that, it creates the textVariable and the frame that will receive it.

Here you are:

//If a document is open
if(app.documents.length!=0)
{
var ad = app.activeDocument;

//Pages placement

for(i=0; i<2; i++)
{
//Add 2 pages on top of the document;
var tmpPg = ad.pages.add(LocationOptions.BEFORE, ad.pages[0]);
//Here you place your pdf
app.pdfPlacePreferences.pageNumber = i;
tmpPg.place(File(cover.pdf), false)
//You should specify page x and page y but ain't found yet the way to go.
}

//Text variable creation
//Check if the textVariable named "txtVar" does not already exist...
if(ad.textVariables.item("txtVar")==null)
{
//if not found, create the text variable named "txtVar"
var txtVar = ad.textVariables.add();
txtVar.variableType =VariableTypes.CUSTOM_TEXT_TYPE;
txtVar.name = "txtVar";
//Set the contents of the text variables to the string "test"
ad.textVariables.item("txtVar").variableOptions.contents = "test";
}

//these coordinates don't care aboutyour units but you may adjust them to your needs
var y1 = ad.marginPreferences.left;
var x1 = ad.marginPreferences.top;
var y2 = y1+5;
var x2 = x1+25;
var myFrame = ad.pages[0].textFrames.add({geometricBounds:[y1,x1,y2,x2]});

//Set the contents of the frame to the text variables "txtVar"
myFrame.contents=ad.textVariables.item("txtVar").variableOptions.contents;

//You may want to stylize the txtVar
//In this case, either you use a existing characterStyle or you create one in the script
}


Bye Loic

copy/paste is easy but...You may have page items on a locked layer, master spreads applied, items overriden,etc. At the end a lot things to deal with.
I can't imagine placing a text variable is that complex. I will have a look and tell you.
Loic

I'm afraid that placing the text variable on the page, in the correct position, might be beyond my scripting knowledge. I think that using scripting to move pages from one document to another would be a useful avenue to explore; if that does not pan out, I will probably insert two blank pages, then copy/paste.

I like scripting the text variable option, too. Perhaps I will play with that for a while and see what I can discover.

Thanks for replying Loic.

Why not removing the text variable from the cover itself and place it at the end with the script ? Hence, you can place the cover files (as pdf or indd) rather than copy/pasting. In any case, you will have to add pages on top of your chapter.
Loic