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wallwall2
Participating Frequently
February 21, 2017
Answered

Create a Word Template from InDesign

  • February 21, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 51298 views

I have an InDesign layout that I would like use to make a MS Word template. I want the graphics to me locked in the Word template with an area for user text. I believe a saw a video one time on how to do this but, for the life of me, I can;t find it. Can someone direct me to a video or document that would show me how to do this?

Thank you.

Correct answer Barb Binder

This would be better addressed on a Microsoft forum (we know InDesign but not necessarily Word) , but maybe this will help:

https://www.creativetechs.com/tipsblog/convert-indesign-file-to-microsoft-word/

https://www.creativetechs.com/uncategorized/updated-convert-indesign-documents-to-word-files/

EDIT on 11/30/2017: the above links no longer work but this one may be helpful:

https://redokun.com/blog/indesign-to-word

This company offers conversion services:

Convert your InDesign into Microsoft Office templates - UpsideDown Productions - YouTube

4 replies

O
OrionCatConsulting
Participant
July 3, 2023

This is not resolved.  This shows someone how to hire another company to do the work that I need to accomplish.  I just need to be able to create an output that my team who doesn't have or use Adobe can then utilze.  This is not helping.

James Gifford—NitroPress
James Gifford—NitroPress
Legend
July 3, 2023

Then try this: use the actual shared tool to create the template. InDesign to Word is... a pointlessly difficult path.

 

Put it this way: I work daily in both tools, separately and for Word-to-ID import. I can't think of a truly workable way to get an ID layout to Word that doesn't involve all but rebuilding the imported elements. Just do the layout in Word and optimize it with styles, macros etc. to make it easy for colleagues to use and maintain.

    Geоrge
    Geоrge
    Legend
    February 21, 2017

    Export to PDF, open in Acrobat Pro and save as docx, correct some mistakes of this conversion needed.

    But if I do this, than I do this fully in MS Word only without InDesign.

    Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
      macpawel
      macpawel
      Participating Frequently
      February 21, 2017

      It's nice solution

      You can also export inDesign artwork as PNG file and place it into Word Document - but it's heavy

      BEST solution is simple - just prepare your tamplate just in Word. I know it's not easy but it works

      Pawel

      O
      OrionCatConsulting
      Participant
      July 4, 2023

      This solution is not Simple, it is flawed and frought with frustrations.  Adobe is being very shortsighted by not finding a way either inside or outside their product to make these transitions simpler and better.  I pay a lot of money for what I can now do in other applications nearly as well.  Adobe is pushing out the content creators to other platforms that play nicer than they do.  

        Haeme Ulrich
        Haeme Ulrich
        Inspiring
        February 21, 2017

        I tested once the ID2Office InDesign Plugin It's not bad:

        ID2Office - How to Convert InDesign to Word, Convert InDesign to PowerPoint

        But I ask me if this is a useful workflow for daily business. In my opinion this is more a thing if the customer wants the InDesign document in Office as well.

        Best regards

        Haeme

          Barb Binder
          Community Expert
          Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          February 21, 2017

          This would be better addressed on a Microsoft forum (we know InDesign but not necessarily Word) , but maybe this will help:

          https://www.creativetechs.com/tipsblog/convert-indesign-file-to-microsoft-word/

          https://www.creativetechs.com/uncategorized/updated-convert-indesign-documents-to-word-files/

          EDIT on 11/30/2017: the above links no longer work but this one may be helpful:

          https://redokun.com/blog/indesign-to-word

          This company offers conversion services:

          Convert your InDesign into Microsoft Office templates - UpsideDown Productions - YouTube

          ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
          bethdevivo
          bethdevivo
          Participating Frequently
          November 30, 2017

          I agree with George - export to .pdf, save as .docx (I used Bluebeam Revu), open in Word and insert text boxes where necessary.

          Fyi, the "Correct Answer" was completely unhelpful. The blog links are broken and the YouTube video was a client testimonial for a company that wants to sell you conversion services.

            Barb Binder
            Community Expert
            Barb BinderCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            November 30, 2017

            Hi Beth:

            Thank you so much for pointing that out. The links were posted in February, and websites change. It looks like the website the first two links point to has undergone a complete redesign and the blog posts we linked to at the beginning of this year are now gone. I tried to update the links, but I don't see any evidence that two files are still there. I'll go make a note of this on the original response.

            ~Barb

            ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
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