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David Healy
David Healy
Inspiring
July 21, 2021
Question

Is there an app that will open an InDesign file and save it with a new name?

  • July 21, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 1246 views

Is there an app that will open an InDesign file and save it with a new name?

Data would be entered in a database, when prompted it would open up a file (example: cyc_MASTER.indd) it would save the file with a new name (example: cyc_JBlin8902.indd).

Data from the database would be automatically imported into corresponding fields in the new file and saved. The app would then prompt the InDesign file to export a pdf of the document.

If there is not one, can someone write one?

 

Thank you, David 

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5 replies

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 22, 2021

I'm wondering if this needs to go through InDesign at all. 

 

Your PDF layout is pretty simple and most database programs can generate a custom PDF per record.

For the onscreen view, you could also export XML and create a custom CSS file. 

 

If you database doesn't support these functions, you can easily export the data out to a program such as FileMaker. (If using Windows and have Office, you may have Access.)

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    David Healy
    David HealyAuthor
    Inspiring
    July 22, 2021

    The sample is an abbrevation of what I actually need. I want to test the functions I need and I didn't want to distract with everything else that will be presented. I was thinking that a web based database would be preferable so that the end user would not need to have FileMaker. I am perfecting a more complete schematic. Stay tuned.

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 22, 2021

    Of course, it's hard for anyone to give accurate advice without knowing the scope of the project. I was under the impression that the impression that you would be generating and delivering the PDF (via email?) and the end user would be viewing a custom web page upon demand. Neither of these options require the end user to have anything other than a PDF reader and a browser.

     

    BTW: FileMaker was just a "for example" suggestion (although it does have web-database capabilities). 

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    Alexandre Becquet
    Community Expert
    Alexandre BecquetCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 22, 2021

    Hello, you can try this from Em software : indata/xdata could be a way 

    http://emsoftware.com/products/emdata/

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 21, 2021

    If you want a special InDesign script written I suggest you get in touch with Keith Coppieters at Rorohiko (he's knowledgeable, friendly and approachable) https://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/

    David Healy
    David HealyAuthor
    Inspiring
    July 21, 2021

    Thanks! I sent him a note.

      Derek Cross
      Community Expert
      Derek CrossCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 22, 2021

      Let us know the outcome – it'll be interesting to know.

      R
      Robert Kyle
      Inspiring
      July 21, 2021

      Can your database export to a .csv file? That would make it easy. 

      David Healy
      David HealyAuthor
      Inspiring
      July 21, 2021

      I haven't set up the database but whatever I use must export .csv.

      R
      Robert Kyle
      Inspiring
      July 21, 2021

      So I think this would work:

       

      A script in your startup scripts folder creates a beforeSave event listener. Or maybe beforeSaveAs. Or maybe both. This would intercept and cancel the normal InDesign event, so the user wouldn't see the save-as dialog. Instead the script would read your .csv file to determine the new file name, even a new file path if the .csv file supported it. 

      Make sense?

      brian_p_dts
      Community Expert
      brian_p_dtsCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 21, 2021

      Sounds like you could use InDesign's built-in DataMerge function to replace the variable data from the database. Then something could be scripted to export each record with a docname field from the dataset. Have you looked into DataMerge at all?

        David Healy
        David HealyAuthor
        Inspiring
        July 21, 2021

        Yes I have, but I want it to be done automatically.

         

        Here is a link for a diagram for what I want: http://www.first-image.com/_cpi/inst/index.html

        M
        Mike Bro
        Legend
        July 23, 2021

        Hello @David Healy 

         

        Sorry I'm not entirely sure what you end goal is but you can take a look at the post below...

        https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/auto-data-merge-several-csv-files-and-save-pdf-with-a-specific-preset/m-p/11620965#M404945

         

        the code would need some modifications to adapt it for your exact needs. although I've never done this, I think you should be able to develop an Automator script to watch a folder for the incomming .CSV files if you are on Mac OS. The Automator script would then open the specified InDesign document to run the script to do the data merge, save and PDF export.

         

        Regards,

        Mike

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