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Chris201Chris
Inspiring
August 10, 2024
Answered

How to Synchronize Order, Grouping, and New Object Styles Across InDesign Book Documents?

  • August 10, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 568 views

I am working with an InDesign book style and am still adding and changing styles in the book. When I synchronize styles I have search, but not found,  two features I need:

I would like the whole Object Styles panel so synchronize, i.e. also the order and grouping, is this possible?

 

My second issue with using the synchronize funtion: If I have added or changed styles in another document than the Style Source (I understand that this is not ideal, but sometimes I forget myself. Is there a setting where InDesign warns me if I have created a style in another book document that is not being synchronised across?

 

 

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Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Request 1: The custom order is not sync'ed, but folder groups are sync'ed. Best options are to sort by name and sync. Be sure to turn on Smart Match Style Groups under Sync Options to avoid styles be duped between files.

 

Request 2: Best thing to do is to train yourself to sync immediately after editing or creating a style--updating the Style Source, of course. Or create a "style sheet" document that contains all styles in the book and make sure that is up-to-date.

 

 

2 replies

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 21, 2024

Request 1: The custom order is not sync'ed, but folder groups are sync'ed. Best options are to sort by name and sync. Be sure to turn on Smart Match Style Groups under Sync Options to avoid styles be duped between files.

 

Request 2: Best thing to do is to train yourself to sync immediately after editing or creating a style--updating the Style Source, of course. Or create a "style sheet" document that contains all styles in the book and make sure that is up-to-date.

 

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
C
Chris201ChrisAuthor
Inspiring
August 22, 2024

Thanks! I hadn't looked at synchronise options (but smart match was checked) so will learn a bit about these.
with regards to 1 & 2 I think I will send these to Adobe as feature requests - to me both would make sense to have, I am a bit surprised they are not already available.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 24, 2024

My general rule with sync options is to use "pesimistic" settings--in other words, only sync what you know you changed. If you only edited paragraph styles, then only sync those--not everything. Of course, if you paragraph style involved character styles and colors, add those in too.

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
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Community Expert
Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 21, 2024

 

I would like the whole Object Styles panel so synchronize, i.e. also the order and grouping, is this possible?

 

By @Chris201Chris

Not really sure what you mean with this one

 

 

Is there a setting where InDesign warns me if I have created a style in another book document that is not being synchronised across?


By @Chris201Chris

 

No - you have to remember to make the change yourself. You can change the book style source to any of the documents in the Book File though. 

 

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/creating-book-files.html#:~:text=In%20the%20Book%20panel%2C%20click%20the%20blank%20box%20next%20to%20the%20document%20that%20you%20want

 

 

 

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