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Known Participant
May 15, 2025
Answered

Export PDF page information

  • May 15, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 380 views

Hi, in the past it was possible to customize the .mrk file so that when "page information" was checked, a custom text could be obtained in  the PDF. It seems that this file is no longer present in the latest CC versions. Is there a way to customize the text that is created when "page information" is checked? For example, removing the time or adding text next to the date, etc. Thanks!

Correct answer Eugene Tyson

I think older versions of InDesign allowed customisation of the .mrk (mark) files that controlled what got spat out when you ticked Page Information in the Marks and Bleeds PDF export.

 

As far as I know, Adobe has moved away from editable mark files. Now, the Page Information data is hard-coded into InDesign, and users have zero official control over the content or formatting. It will always output the document name, page number, date, and time, in a rigid style.

 

What you can do
Create your own custom page info by adding the Slug Info in the Document setup and then include that in the PDF export 

 

You can create a parent page item in the slug area.

Use variables like File Name and Modification Date (customise as you see fit)

Combine them with custom text like Confidential or client names.

 

You might be able to even script it if you want a dynamic solution that updates automatically on save or export etc.

 


InDesign Variables
Go to Type > Text Variables > Insert Variable
Use File Name, Last Modified Date or create your own custom variables.


Acrobat stamp
If you're in a pinch, you can also post-process the PDF in Acrobat using a custom stamp, but that's more of a hack.

1 reply

Eugene TysonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 15, 2025

I think older versions of InDesign allowed customisation of the .mrk (mark) files that controlled what got spat out when you ticked Page Information in the Marks and Bleeds PDF export.

 

As far as I know, Adobe has moved away from editable mark files. Now, the Page Information data is hard-coded into InDesign, and users have zero official control over the content or formatting. It will always output the document name, page number, date, and time, in a rigid style.

 

What you can do
Create your own custom page info by adding the Slug Info in the Document setup and then include that in the PDF export 

 

You can create a parent page item in the slug area.

Use variables like File Name and Modification Date (customise as you see fit)

Combine them with custom text like Confidential or client names.

 

You might be able to even script it if you want a dynamic solution that updates automatically on save or export etc.

 


InDesign Variables
Go to Type > Text Variables > Insert Variable
Use File Name, Last Modified Date or create your own custom variables.


Acrobat stamp
If you're in a pinch, you can also post-process the PDF in Acrobat using a custom stamp, but that's more of a hack.

Known Participant
May 15, 2025

Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, I know I could achieve the same thing with variables, although I would have preferred to be able to customize the .mrk file. Thank you anyway!

Community Expert
May 15, 2025

AFAIK the option is not there anymore - so unforunately this is the only way I can think of to do it. I use slug data all the time. 

 

I understand your preference though.