Feature request: Flip between pages after a multipage PDF import

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for the discussion and for sharing your inputs here. I checked this with the product team, and while this isn’t available as a native feature in Adobe InDesign at the moment, a scripting-based workaround can help achieve similar functionality.

Sharing a sample script here that allows you to update the page of a placed PDF without relinking. 

// ShowPDFoptions.js

// Version 2

// An InDesign CS and CS2 Javascript

// Allows you to change the properties of an imported PDF
// such as crop, imported page, transparent background
// whilst keeping all the properties of the object.

// Install into your indesign/scripts directory

// Select a box containing an imported PDF and run this script
// by selecting it in the scripts palette.

// www.luxlucid.com

myDoc = app.activeDocument;

if( myDoc.selection.length == 0 ){err("No selection.");}

if( myDoc.selection[0].constructor.name != "PDF" ){
//Test if it is a container
try {
	if (myDoc.selection[0].contentType == ContentType.graphicType){
		//Is first content PDF?
			try {
					if (myDoc.selection[0].allGraphics[0].constructor.name == "PDF"){
						placePDF(myDoc.selection[0].allGraphics[0]);
					} else {
						err("No PDF content embedded.");
					}
			} catch (e){
				err("No PDF content embedded.");
			}
	} else {
		err("Select an imported PDF.");
	}
} catch (e){
	err("Select an imported PDF.");
}


} else {
	placePDF(myDoc.selection[0]);
}

exit();


function placePDF(n){
	try {
	if (app.version == 3){
		//cs1
		myDoc.selection[0].place(n.itemLink.filePath,1,1,1,1, undefined);
//	} else if (String(app.version).split(".")[0] == 4){ 
		//cs2
	} else { 
		myDoc.selection[0].place(n.itemLink.filePath,1, undefined);
	}

	} catch (e){
		//err("Unknown error!");
	}
}



function err(e){
	alert(e);
	exit();
}

You can try installing and running it on a selected PDF frame to switch pages. For reference on how to use scripts in InDesign, you can check this guide:
https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/scripting.html

Do give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

Abhishek

Thanks ​@Abhishek Rao 

Ideally placing a multi page PDF should place each selected page on a new page in the same position or adhering to the layout

Hi ​@derekwatson , PDF placement can be scripted—usually something that can be scripted doesn't get added as a feature. An example would be the PlaceMultipagePDF script that is included in the script panel’s Samples folder, which does what you seem to be describing.