InDesign: Linking text boxes so if copy is edited in one, it is also changed in the linked boxes

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
March 17, 2025
4 replies
653 views

I am looking to build a template that has variations upon the layout for different displays/uses.

The copy would be the same.

Think Digital ad packages, that may be the most relevant example. You have a half dozen variants of the same content/design. In use, you would edit the CTA and it would change across all variants. You drop in a new image, it is swapped out for all linked image boxes. In each case, the individual frames would keep their style settings.

I want to link boxes so if one is edited, they are ALL edited.

Is this currently possible in InDesign?

Feature request

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

@Barb36631678joo0

Linked WORD or InCopy file - for text contents.

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

I've used IC very little, but what features does it have to replicate text from one instance? Or would one instance be loaded into multiple text frames... somehow? (My impression is that it's neither better nor worse than editing etc. in InDesign, just a simpler tool that can be used outside of a full CC license by relatively novice users.)

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

@James Gifford—NitroPress

Sorry, haven't checked, but I was under the impression - that InCopy files could be linked in multiple places?

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

Short of perhaps a scripted solution, the only route I can think of is to place the text on Parent pages so that it's changed on all associated document pages. You could do it by swapping the Parent page assignment — one for Version A, one for Version B, etc.

Peter Spier

Community Expert

I see a moderator has marked my answer about the Content Conveyor as correct, which I supposed is tecnically true, but it's probably important to note that the linked text doesn't automatically update when the source is edited. You have to do that through the links panel, just as you do for images.

B

Barb36631678joo0Author

Participating Frequently

Yeah I'm trying to set this up to be as simple as possible so content creators can be empowered to make routine projects. It needs to be very, VERY simple.

The relink route isn't really a modern solution. It is pretty clunky and outdated ui-wise.