Skip to main content
roula_i_y10886656
roula_i_y10886656
Participant
November 14, 2018
Answered

auto fill field

  • November 14, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 4202 views

How can I create a field that will automatically copy the contents of another field in InDesign? For example, I have two pages spread, if I typed the number number 1255 on the first page of the spread, I want the field on the second page of the spread to be filled automatically with the same number.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Laubender

A pontential problem with that:

You cannot run a story A inside another story B where all the text frames of story A are divided to several anchored text frames. At least not by using InDesign's user interface. By scripting this is possible, but it will be quite an effort and needs some planning ahead: You have to determine from the start the number of instances, the number of text frames, you want to anchor.

Here an example where three text frames containing one table and are threaded are anchored to the main story.

If you change the number in the header cell of the table that is positioned in frame one, all other anchored frames instantly will show the same contents.

The three anchors in story view:

The table running through the anchored frames in story view:

The link to the file on my Dropbox account:

Dropbox - ThreadedTable-RunningInsideStory.zip

The above construct can be done with several main stories as well.

Means: Theoretically the table can run through one or more stories in one go.

Best,

Uwe

4 replies

Colin Flashman
Community Expert
Colin FlashmanCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 15, 2018

What about using a text variable? So long as the type doesn't have to go over one line, the following would be my suggestion:

Create a new text variable by going to the type menu, text variables, then define...

From the text variable dialog box, select new.

Then enter the type as custom text and type the word you would like to be repeated. In this example, I've used the word "fish", but the NAME of the text variable is called eeee for reasons that will become apparent in a minute.

Once the text variable is created, it can be inserted the long way via the menu items...

OR the much faster way of using quick apply (Command+Return on a mac) and typing the letters eeee:

I've only chosen the letters eeee in this instance so that it is unique to the quick apply menu and won't choose anything else.

Let's now say I want to replace the word "fish" with "cats", I can now do this by redefining the variable from the text variable dialog box.

If the answer wasn't in my post, perhaps it might be on my blog at colecandoo!
L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 14, 2018

Hi,

hm…

Technically the only way you can have an immediate update to the same text with the same formatting is using a table. A one column table with a number of body cells and one header cell.

For one instance of your contents that means:

One header cell plus at least one body cell per text frame.

All the text frames have to be threaded to one story.

Example:

You would go without inset spacing and without strokes for all the cells:

Changing the header cell will immediately change all headers in all threaded text frames the table is running through.

Regards,
Uwe

L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
November 14, 2018

A pontential problem with that:

You cannot run a story A inside another story B where all the text frames of story A are divided to several anchored text frames. At least not by using InDesign's user interface. By scripting this is possible, but it will be quite an effort and needs some planning ahead: You have to determine from the start the number of instances, the number of text frames, you want to anchor.

Here an example where three text frames containing one table and are threaded are anchored to the main story.

If you change the number in the header cell of the table that is positioned in frame one, all other anchored frames instantly will show the same contents.

The three anchors in story view:

The table running through the anchored frames in story view:

The link to the file on my Dropbox account:

Dropbox - ThreadedTable-RunningInsideStory.zip

The above construct can be done with several main stories as well.

Means: Theoretically the table can run through one or more stories in one go.

Best,

Uwe

John Mensinger
Community Expert
John MensingerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 14, 2018

Ariel's answer above is correct if you're talking about form fields for export to PDF.

If you're asking for a way to link/automate text frames while editing in InDesign, see Use linked content features in InDesign

roula_i_y10886656
roula_i_y10886656Author
Participant
November 14, 2018

Thanks, I can also do the same with cross reference. My point is, there is no way—so far— for the number to update automatically without having to update the "link."

vinny38
vinny38
Legend
November 15, 2018

Another approach could be to use Text variable (running header).

Learn how to number pages, chapters, and sections in InDesign

Please note that you may need to refresh the page in order to see the effective change

TᴀW
TᴀW
Legend
November 14, 2018

In the Buttons and Forms panel in InDesign (or in the Name field in Acrobat), give both fields the same name.

Ariel

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices