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Question

Automatic Sequential Numbers That Aren't Pages

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
January 7, 2020
4 replies
9829 views

When I make storyboards I like to number each frame. I'd like to know how to set up text boxes for the frame numbers so that they autofill sequentially, regardless how many pages I make. Ex 1-6 on the first page, 7-12 on the second page, 13-18 etc...

Thanks,

Marc

This topic has been closed for replies.

Emile the Illustrator

Participating Frequently

Hey,

I've made a script that solves this (works for Indesign 2023 (18))
Basically, type in any sequential text box "Seq" (no "), then run the script by double clicking it (instructions below)

It will sequentially number any text box from top to bottom, left to right 1,2,3,4,5 etc. It's best to do this as a final step, as once the boxes become numbers, you need to start over to re-order them.

I can't upload a .jsx here, but change this .txt to .jsx then put in the script folder. Here are instructions on how to use:

Save the Script File: Save your script as a .jsx file. For example, you can save it as SequentialNumbering.jsx.
Locate the Scripts Folder: Open Adobe InDesign and go to the "Scripts" panel. If it's not visible, you can enable it by going to "Window" > "Utilities" > "Scripts". In the Scripts panel, right-click on the "User" folder and choose "Reveal in Finder" (macOS) or "Reveal in Explorer" (Windows). This will open the scripts folder location.
Copy the Script File: In the scripts folder, copy the .jsx file you saved in step 1. You can simply drag and drop the file into the scripts folder.
If it's not showing up, restart Adobe InDesign, but with mine it showed up automatically
Access the Script: Open the "Scripts" panel again. You should see your script listed under the "User" folder in the Scripts panel.
Run the Script: To run the script, double-click on its name in the Scripts panel. Alternatively, you can right-click on the script and choose "Run" from the context menu. The script will execute, and any "seq"s will become a number.

SeqNum.txt

L

Loay34377681mltm

Participant

Greate,
But how can we used it with selected text frame only in page, and all text frame have many words?

Appreciate
Loay

L

Laubender

Community Expert

Hi Marc,

some more details about my solution using two Running Header text variables together with a Numbering List:

If you are not familiar with text variables and running headers, read this:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/text-variables.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/numbering-pages-chapters-sections.html#create_variables_for_running_headers_and_footers

You can download my sample InDesign documents with additional screenshots from my Dropbox account:

200108-1-NumberedList-plus-TextVariables-Define-FromTo.zip

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tj34c7q1v6jyoom/200108-1-NumberedList-plus-TextVariables-Define-FromTo.zip?dl=0

Use the paragraph style panel to convert numbering to text:

Definition of the text variable for First on Page:

Definition of the text variable for Last on Page:

How the numbering is done with the paragraph style. Note: You need a custom numebring list to define that numbering continues accross stories:

Fill color of the paragraph style used for the automatic numbering set to [None]:

Definition of the custom Numbering List: Continue numbering accross stories

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

L

Laubender

Community Expert

Hi together,

as I understand the question by Marc: There should be a sequence of numbers in one paragraph.

A "from-to" situation.

I can see a way to do this with two components:

1. A numbered list that continues numbering accross stories.

2. Two Text Variables that pick up the first and the last occurance of the paragraphs with the numbered list on the page.

That's only part 1 of the solution.

Part 2 is to convert the numbers of the numbered list to plain text characters so that the text variables can pick up the actual numbers. Some screenshots to illustrate the idea below. From my German InDesign:

Part 1 set up. The text in the paragraphs of the numbered list could be formatted invisible with e.g. fill color [None] so that only the text is visible where the both text variables are used:

Part 2 after I converted the paragraphs where the numbering is used from auto-number to actual editable text.

Both text variables now pick up the actual numbers of the first and the last number on the page:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

M

Migintosh

Legend

Set up a text frame for each storyboard
Chain them together
Set the type in the first frame to a numbered list
Insert a frame break character for each text frame, they will each have a consecutive number in them.

jmlevy

Community Expert

You do not need to chain the text frames. You can create a numbered paragraph style with a list. If you apply this paragraph style to each text frame, you'll get consecutive numbers

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

The numbers only show if some break character is in the Text Frame

Not a break character, any one will trigger the numbering. I like to use space

but then the frames can’t be primaries so the numbering on the pages is exactly the same as on the master page.

You must override the master elements to see the actual numbers.

Thank you.

Do I understand correctly that this can not be fully automated without a Script?

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