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Inspiring
February 15, 2018
Answered

Using Master pages and exporting 508-compliant pdfs

  • February 15, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 1473 views

I'm trying to export a PDF that includes all tags and meta information for it to be 508-compliant. I've done this before with no problems, however this time I'm using a Master page and I just noticed that the pdf that gets exported gets flattened out and doesn't include any of the tags. I have Adobe Acrobat so that's where I check to make sure all the info is there. In Acrobat I try to use the tools to make it compliant but it even that is not possible. I use the Action Wizard tool to Auto Tag the document but the only thing that gets tagged is the content that was added in InDesign outside of the Master page.

In InDesign, I've followed all of the instructions to make sure the document is properly tagged; the Tags panel is visible with all tags and the Structure panel is visible showing all items from the document. I've also selected 'Add Untagged Items' to make sure everything is tagged. The issue seems to be when exporting. Is there some option that I must select to make sure all the data is exported?

I have several large documents on which I use Master pages, so I would really appreciate some help with this problem.

Thanx

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Steve Werner

The behavior of PDF tagging changed in InDesign CC 2018. See this thread for an explanation:

PDF Accessibility: Master page items artifact by default-how to change?

Here is a list of other accessibility changes in CC 2018:

PDF Accessibility enhancements

4 replies

chavab1Author
Inspiring
February 15, 2018

OK, thank you very much for your help.

chavab1Author
Inspiring
February 15, 2018

In our case, the Master page is not changed at all after applied to a page. It is just used as to not have to recreate it again since it's used about 50 times in a 80-plus page document. We have a second Master page that is applied to the other pages and then different text is added to each of those pages. The content on each of the Master pages is not just artifacts, but important information that should be tagged and exported.

So per your response, we would have to override the content on each of the page correct??

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 15, 2018

Yes, look at the first link I provided: Chad Chelius said that's what you need to do.

Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 15, 2018

According to the Adobe.com website info concerning InDesign CC 2018:

Master pages tagging: Any page object on master page is not tagged in exported PDF and has an artifact tag in contents panel of Acrobat. Overriding master page items shows the tags of page items in exported PDF.

This is on purpose: most things on a Master would have little relevance to the sight-limited person. However, IF you override to the local page, the object WILL be tagged.

Mike Witherell
Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 15, 2018

The behavior of PDF tagging changed in InDesign CC 2018. See this thread for an explanation:

PDF Accessibility: Master page items artifact by default-how to change?

Here is a list of other accessibility changes in CC 2018:

PDF Accessibility enhancements