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Batch Edit in Indesign

Community Beginner ,
Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

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I have roughly 200 datasheets that are styled up in InDesign. I have a VIP customer who'd like a copy of each one, with his logo instead of mine (and some colour changes). 

 

If this was a photoshop doc I could probably work something out with the Batch process function. Is there any way in indesign for me to: 

 

1. Open an INDD file
2. Replace the linked logo.ai with logo_customer.ai

3. Edit swatch colour value 

4. Export to PDF 

5. Save As [old_filename]_customer.indd

 

It feels like this kind of task must be possible but I can't for the life of me work out how to do it! 

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How to , Import and export

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correct answers 2 Correct answers

Community Expert , Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

Just had a look and does this article help..?

https://indesignsecrets.com/creating-batch-pdfs.php

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Guru , Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

Here I wrote a script for you to be used in the batch processor:

main();

function main() {
	var doc = app.activeDocument;

	// Relink to the customer logo located in the same folder
	var logo = doc.links.itemByName("logo.ai");
	if (logo.isValid) {
		var logoCustomerFilePath = File(logo.filePath).path + "/logo_customer.ai";
		var logoCustomerFile = new File(logoCustomerFilePath);
		if (logoCustomerFile.exists) {
			logo.relink(logoCustomerFile);
		}
	}
	
	// Edit a swatch
	var swatch = doc.swatch
...

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Community Expert ,
Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

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Just had a look and does this article help..?

https://indesignsecrets.com/creating-batch-pdfs.php

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Guru ,
Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

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This can be done easily with my batch processor.

— Kas

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Community Expert ,
Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

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You can change the color of a tint in a PDF using an Acrobat Preflight Fixup, which can be applied to all 200 PDFs at once. Make a copy of this Preflight and edit it, adding the color to change and the desired color. Add the new preflight to an action, using the Action Wizard and apply the Action to a folder containing the 200 PDFs. As for the new logo, edit it in Illustrator so it is the same size as the old logo (edit artboard), then rename the original logo to hide it from InDesign and select the new logo as the replacement. Not automated, but this should save some time.

Map specific color.png

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Guru ,
Apr 20, 2020 Apr 20, 2020

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Here I wrote a script for you to be used in the batch processor:

main();

function main() {
	var doc = app.activeDocument;

	// Relink to the customer logo located in the same folder
	var logo = doc.links.itemByName("logo.ai");
	if (logo.isValid) {
		var logoCustomerFilePath = File(logo.filePath).path + "/logo_customer.ai";
		var logoCustomerFile = new File(logoCustomerFilePath);
		if (logoCustomerFile.exists) {
			logo.relink(logoCustomerFile);
		}
	}
	
	// Edit a swatch
	var swatch = doc.swatches.itemByName("C=15 M=100 Y=100 K=0");
	if (swatch.isValid) {
		with (swatch) {
			colorValue = [30, 90, 90, 10];
		}
	}

	// Export to PDF to the same location as INDD
	var pdfFilePath = doc.fullName.absoluteURI.replace(/indd$/, "pdf");
	var pdfFile = new File(pdfFilePath);
	var pdfPreset = app.pdfExportPresets.itemByName("[Press Quality]");
	var pdfFileExported = doc.exportFile(ExportFormat.PDF_TYPE, pdfFile, false, pdfPreset);
	
	// Save as a copy
	var docFilePath = doc.filePath.absoluteURI;
	var newDocPath = docFilePath + "/" + doc.name.replace(/\.indd$/, "") + "_customer.indd";
	var newDoc = new File(newDocPath);
	doc.saveACopy(newDoc);
}

I don't know your specific requirements so adjust it to your needs. or use it as a starting point.

2020-04-20_19-04-34.png

Hope it helps!

— Kas

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Community Beginner ,
Feb 02, 2024 Feb 02, 2024

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Hi, we use a Pantone swatch and a tint value - is there a way of using batch processor to change a tint?

From: Pantone 293U set as a colour swatch - then 25% tint applied. 

To: Pantone 293U with a 10% tint applied. 

We didn't use a tint swatch - bit of an oversight at the time. 

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Guru ,
Feb 03, 2024 Feb 03, 2024

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Hi there!
Here I wrote a script for you.

— Kas

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Community Beginner ,
Feb 05, 2024 Feb 05, 2024

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Excellent, thank you very much!

 

I've tested the script, both in an active doc and also in the batch script tool and it doesn't seem to find the colour in the elements on the page. The batch tool opens and closes the documents without modification.

 

The screen grabs you added are spot on, and the find and replace colour option is exactly what I'm trying to do and using those settings completes the change. 

 

Have I missed something?

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Community Beginner ,
Feb 05, 2024 Feb 05, 2024

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I think I figured it out - all caps and space - PANTONE 293 U. 

Thank you!

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Guru ,
Feb 07, 2024 Feb 07, 2024

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First, I copied & pasted the colour name from your post. Now I adjusted the script.

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Community Beginner ,
Feb 07, 2024 Feb 07, 2024

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Yes, completely my fault - thank you!

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