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Nousheeth
Known Participant
October 27, 2023
Answered

Batch list import for list box or combo box in indesign. Interactive PDF

  • October 27, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 1291 views

Hi team,

 

I need a help to import a batch of names in Indesign List items to create a dropdown for interactive PDF. I need a support in indesign.

 

For now i can see the only way to add List Items manually one by one. is there any way add the bundle of list items in single shot. I have 900 names to add.

Please support with any possible ways or any indesign script;

Thanks in Advance.

Nousheeth

    Correct answer TᴀW

    Do you also need to import export values for each item in the list?

    If you don't need export values and only need to add items to the list, there are a couple of free scripts out there, one by Keith Gilbert and one by Chuck Weger called ComboMambo (https://creativepro.com/a-script-for-populating-form-fields-in-indesign/) which should do the trick.

    My own (not free) FormMaker add-on (https://www.id-extras.com/products/formmaker/) allows you to do this but also allows you to bulk import an export value alongside each list item. Very useful if you'll be needing to actually do something with th user-selection in your interactive form afterwards.

    And on a UX/UI note, I wonder if a list with 900 entries really works for the end-user? Perhaps it would be better to split the list into several sub-categories to make it easier for the user to find what they need? Of course, I know nothing about your form, so perhaps this isn't possible or necessary here. Just a suggestion!

    2 replies

    Colin Flashman
    Colin Flashman
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2023

    There is a script that will do this that is available from CreativePro.com - it is called combomambo.

    Description on how it works/where to download it is here: https://creativepro.com/combomambo-script-updated-indesign-cc-2014/

    If the answer wasn't in my post, perhaps it might be on my blog at colecandoo!
      G_Man
      G_Man
      Inspiring
      October 16, 2024

      Wow - I'm SO pleased I found this. Designed in 2014 - works in 2024 - why isn't this a part of CC? Saved me a ton of work. Just create a plain text file of your lists, run the script and it imports the info for each text field individually. Brilliant. 

      TᴀW
      TᴀWCorrect answer
      Brainiac
      October 27, 2023

      Do you also need to import export values for each item in the list?

      If you don't need export values and only need to add items to the list, there are a couple of free scripts out there, one by Keith Gilbert and one by Chuck Weger called ComboMambo (https://creativepro.com/a-script-for-populating-form-fields-in-indesign/) which should do the trick.

      My own (not free) FormMaker add-on (https://www.id-extras.com/products/formmaker/) allows you to do this but also allows you to bulk import an export value alongside each list item. Very useful if you'll be needing to actually do something with th user-selection in your interactive form afterwards.

      And on a UX/UI note, I wonder if a list with 900 entries really works for the end-user? Perhaps it would be better to split the list into several sub-categories to make it easier for the user to find what they need? Of course, I know nothing about your form, so perhaps this isn't possible or necessary here. Just a suggestion!

      N
      NousheethAuthor
      Known Participant
      October 27, 2023

      Thankyou so much


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