anchored pictures disappear when updating linked text

[Chris201Chris]

I have a text in word that is still work in project. This is linked to an InDesign document where I have come across the following problem:

I am learning to use anchored objects (not all that intuitive) as I want the pictures I place in the InDesign file to move with the text when I edit this in the word file. However, when I make edits in the word file and update the link in InDesign, all my anchored picture frames (and the pictures) disappeared. Is it not possible to use the anchor feature in a linked text box?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I'm not completely clear on your workflow, but keep in mind that an anchored object (image, text box) is, in the end, just a character in the text. It's a hidden character that says, "put item X here," and voilá, the item appears there and moves with the text.

If you replace the text, that "character" is lost.

Does that make sense?

ETA: FvdG is right, text should be a one-way import into InDesign except in very select, special situations. However, you could avoid this problem if you don't anchor your images etc. until you are at pretty much final text. Place them approximately where you want them, let the text change, move them a little if you like, but don't anchor them until you're down to final changes at hte ID level.

[Frans v.d. Geest]

That said, linking Text files from Word... not a very nice idea, as updating with also loose all formatting and, of course, items you anchored in InDesign. You basically say when updating: replace everything in InDesign with the Word file.

[Chris201Chris]

Yes, it's clear, albeit not what I hoped for. This means I cannot anchor which is a bit of a problem as I am adding a lot of picture and as these take up place, the text will move and then all other photos will appear in the wrong place...
And yes, I have problem with format being overwritten, despite all the tutorials had led me to believe that the Indesign formatting would supercede that of word...

[BobLevine]

You're better off with InCopy but absent that, I highly recommend Wordsflow from Em Software. WordsFlow » Em Software

[Chris201Chris]

A bit frustrating that software as expensive as Adobes series cannot handle what to me seems as rather rudimentary functions... As I am a layperson and am already finding my Adobe subscription to be more expensive than I "should" spend on this hobby I have so far decided to not use WordsFlow... InCopy I have not heard of before but guess it is even more expensive 🙂

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

InDesign is not Word. A lot of newcomers have trouble with that hurdle. Despite superficial similarities, they are different tools for different jobs. Expecting a document to flow seamlessly between them is not... reasonable.

Developing a document in Word and expecting ID to maintain a continual update is an example of their differences. It's not just a different file format (as it might be between Word, and, say, WordPerfect or another non-Word-clone), it's a completely different document structure and feature set.

I do a lot of work in both Word and ID, usually the heavy writing and editing in the first, then a one time import and prep for publication in the latter. I also write in ID — whole books, sometimes — because I'm a fairly visual writer. I don't quite grasp why you are writing in Word only for continual input into InDesign. Maybe you have your methods or madness, but it's not a very efficient workflow for most projects. The compatible tool InCopy (which is included with the Creative Cloud app set, no additional cost — and if you have ID only, I think it's included with that package, too) might be a better 'writing' tool; if you have reasons for staying with Word, there are helper tools such as Bob L. suggests.

But in general, InDesign is an end-stage tool, accepting constructed and written format from many sources and managing it for efficient publication. Things don't go back out of it easily, and it does not handle update of the text content very gracefully.

If you want to explain why you're using this workflow, the expertise here might have some useful suggestions for you. What is InDesign doing for you that Word does not... and vice versa?

[Chris201Chris]

I admit there is not necessarily any structure in how I work (I am trying to learn), I was given a text file from a relative and asked to help out with adding pictures to the text and also, where I can, add footnotes. The adjustments to the original text (aside from the footnotes) will be minor (spelling, etc) - but the other party cannot make his adjustments in InDesign as he does not have the software. Also, as I am familiar with the review function in Word I hoped that would be a convenient way of communicating/cooperating with the other party.

So I would therefore have preferred to be able to keep the link to Word, but if need be I can of course enter the adjustments made in the Word file manually into InDesing- I just didn't know that was necessary. If I give up on the idea of keeping the link to word, that will probably solve all the issues I am having at present (as I will then use anchoring - unless you recommend that I skip that function - and the photos will then follow the text when it moves after me having added more photos).

The text is memories written down by an ancestor and the pictures I add are pictures and other things I have inhereted from my grandmother as well as scans from local archives 🙂

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Do all your work in Word, until you're down to final edits. Place the images there, anchored.

At intervals, you can import the work file and do a quick test format, adjusting your styles and looking for flaws in the layout from the Word end, glitches you can fix so that they don't reoccur. If you take the time to match your Word and InDesign styles — and (learn to) use styles meticulously in Word, even for Bold and Italic — and you do this "test fit" from time to time, you will reach the point where you can import an almost-finished ID document. (Each test fit doc will be a thowaway, but you can preserve style adjustments and the like.)

Put another way, doing a lot of work in Word, especially if you're using spot and override styles, and then repeating a lot of probably unnecessary work in ID, is not a good workflow. Make the two documents... harmonize rather than be duplicates.

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com]

InCopy I have not heard of before but guess it is even more expensive 🙂

By @Chris201Chris

InCopy is part of a Creative Cloud subscription. However, if you don't have a subscription to the Creative Cloud group of apps, you can buy it for 4.99/month: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

InCopy was specifically designed so that text content could be edited with the formatting retained. Here's some info on how to use it. https://helpx.adobe.com/incopy/using/using-incopy-workflow.html  and  https://www.adobe.com/products/incopy.html

Suggestion: this is a user-to-user forum and everyone here volunteers their time to help others. Some have deep expertise in the subject and software programs and are invited to help, and we're ID'd as a "Community Expert."

You're using a complex, pro-level software program designed specifically for professionals in the graphic design, printing, advertising, and publishing industries. So those without professional training will struggle with the tools. InDesign was never designed to be "intuitive" to those without industry background knowledge.

Bottom line: be nice here. We're trying to help you out of a jam. My colleagues above have given excellent advice.

[Chris201Chris]

I'm really sorry, my intention was in no way intended to be "not nice" - if that is how it was perceived I can only apologize - maybe it is because I'm not a native English speaker I came across that way?
I have a student subscription to Creative Cloud (albeit this is not within my field of studies, I am just trying to help a relative who is editing a book (only intended for other relatives so not of a professional quality)). If you or anyone here have suggestions for more intuitive software (more layman friendly) I am open to try out most ideas.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

As I said above, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking ID is just another word processor and "should" work just like Word and all the others. It's not. It's a publication layout tool that happens to have a lot of word processor functionality for convenience.

Any time you are dealing with an evolving source document in another format, you have to find ways to make the import and formatting step as easy as possible. See my notes above about a better workflow for a project like this.

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com]

Hi @Chris201Chris, if this is a family project, then you don't need the "power" of InDesign. Consider maybe Microsoft Publisher  (which is a very low-cost or free edition: the academic/students version is at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/office and the family/personal version is at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365)  or Canva (an online freebie layout program https://www.canva.com/).

But no matter which program you end up using, every time you bring in a revised Word file, it will overwrite everything you've already done...formatting, anchored graphics, everything.

All of these programs are created with a central theory that by the time the text is imported into the layout, it's fully edited and ready to go. Editorial and desktop publishing/graphic design/layout are two distinct and separate processes of publishing.

So the industry doesn't edit the text after the project is in a desktop publishing layout.  Of course you can make small editorial edits to the layout either by hand or with InCopy, but you can't bring in a new version of Word without undoing everything you've already done. There's no connection between the original Word file and the text that's in the desktop publishing file: they are different versions of the text. The only program that allows for a Word file to go back and forth is Ems Software which was suggested earlier, but it is expensive and has a fairly steep learning curve.

If this is a family history project and you're going to print maybe a couple dozen copies at your local print shop, then I'd do it in Canva. It's very easy to use, has some very nice templates, and you can drop in your photos and graphics, move them around on the page, and create a PDF that you can print either from your own desktop printer or at the print shop down the street.

Best of luck to you and I hope the family enjoys this labor of love!

[Chris201Chris]

I started using InDesign as this was the template that was supplied by the photo book producer I am using. I had access to the Creative suite thru my college and  thus decided to give it a go. By now I have "a ton" of work-in-progress photobooks in InDesign so I feel a bit reluctant to migrate to another software, but will give Canva a look. For me it was the book of this other relative that I promised to help that complicated things as I no longer have complete control over the changes in the text. Despite all the bumps in the road the end result will be worth it 🙂 and I am having fun learning on the way. Thanks for all help, appreciate it!

[Robert Tkaczyk]

You should try WordsFlow plugin. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

OP indicated budget is a factor. WordsFlow is $180/year.

[BobLevine]

Which is why I brought up both...but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay for what you need.

[Chris201Chris]

Many thanks everyone! I realize that the answer to my question was that it is not possible to do what I was trying to do (at least not without purchasing additional software) and will resort to workarounds. I will have to think a bit how I can make it as convenient as possible for the the party I am helping, and will use all of your input when I decide on how to continue.
Thanks again!

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Complete a well-formatted version in Word, that the 'author' can review and see how the pieces will fit together. You can edit/export to PDF for their review/edit again endlessly without having any import problems or layout issues. When the book is down to the last fixes, import it to ID and do the more professional layout, then make all further changes to that. Really, that's how any pro would do it when the author wants to review and make changes as the project develops.

Good luck and here's to a great result!

[Laubender]

Hi @Chris201Chris ,

one word of caution if you are placing a Word document that contains images.

Cropped images from Word will be placed uncropped in InDesign.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )