Problems creating book with IDML

Hi Amy,

if you really want to use InDesign's Book feature, because you want synchronize things, then yes, you must do this with InDesign documents and not with IDML files. If you do not want to synchronize things why would you like to use the Book feature at all? To do something with the IDML files you have to open them as InDesign documents.

Best use Peter Kahrel's script to batch save the IDML files to InDesign documents.

It will also work with files from nested subfolders.

Batch-process (convert/export/import) documents

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/batch_convert.html

If you only want to export the IDML files to PDF you can do this also with Peter Kahrel's script. Without InDesign's book feature. However, you have to make sure that needed fonts and linked images can be found.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

In addition Test Screen's answer, do you mean "books" or the InDesign Books facility as in File > New > Book... ?

That is to say is it 500 different books or one book containing 500 documents?

Simple answer: No.

IDML exists only as a way to fix problems, or convert to work with an older version. Each time you export to IDML you risk reflow and change. So never use it as your working file.