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Participant
May 1, 2020
Answered

Creating an online book from a print ready InDesign file

  • May 1, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 872 views

I need to create an online book that can be viewed universally ( any device the participant would use ). Being a print designer I have never been asked to do this ( surprisingly ) so I could use a solid direction to turn to. This project is time sensitive, or otherwise needs to happen fairly quickly – timeline is not too crazy yet. What is the best approach for this? 

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Correct answer Derek Cross

Have a look at InDesign's Publish Online:

  • Publish Online documents are easy to produce from your print edition (few skills needed).
  • Publish Online documents can be read on any device with an HTML5 browser (PC and Mac computer, tablet, smart phone).
  • Publish Online documents can include additional features, such as links, animations and videos.
  • Publish Online documents can be enabled for the recipient to print out a PDF version.
  • Publish Online documents can be measured for number of views (analytics).

The disadvantages of Publish Online documents are:

  • Publish Online text doesn't reflow, so it may be difficult to read on some devices.
  • Publish Online documents are hosted on Adobe servers so maybe not suitable for secure documents.
  • Publish Online documents are difficult to monetise.

 

Diane Burns has produced an excellent video tutorial on creating Publish Online documents on LinkedinLearning -- you can get 30-days free access. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/indesign-publish-online-2?trk=learning-serp_learning_search-card&upsellOrderOrigin=homepage-learning_learning-search-bar_search-submit

 

3 replies

Derek Cross
Community Expert
Derek CrossCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 1, 2020

Have a look at InDesign's Publish Online:

  • Publish Online documents are easy to produce from your print edition (few skills needed).
  • Publish Online documents can be read on any device with an HTML5 browser (PC and Mac computer, tablet, smart phone).
  • Publish Online documents can include additional features, such as links, animations and videos.
  • Publish Online documents can be enabled for the recipient to print out a PDF version.
  • Publish Online documents can be measured for number of views (analytics).

The disadvantages of Publish Online documents are:

  • Publish Online text doesn't reflow, so it may be difficult to read on some devices.
  • Publish Online documents are hosted on Adobe servers so maybe not suitable for secure documents.
  • Publish Online documents are difficult to monetise.

 

Diane Burns has produced an excellent video tutorial on creating Publish Online documents on LinkedinLearning -- you can get 30-days free access. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/indesign-publish-online-2?trk=learning-serp_learning_search-card&upsellOrderOrigin=homepage-learning_learning-search-bar_search-submit

 

Goodie3Author
Participant
May 11, 2020

Hello Derek,

I really appreciate this information and the time you took for sending this to me.

Regards,

Carrie

Derek Cross
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 11, 2020

Thank you Carrie – you're right, I did take some time to assemble the information, but now I've saved it so I can paste it into an answer when someone asks a similar question.

It would be helpful to all people on the forum if you can report back what you used in the end and how you got on.

Best wishes,

Derek

 

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 1, 2020

Which devices are you targeting?  There are different formats for various devices:  ePUB2 or newer ePUB3, PDF, MOBI, iBook, etc...

 

You're probably already familiar with InDesign.

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/export-content-epub-cc.html

 

Ask the publisher / retailer what they require.  For example, Amazon | Kindle Direct Publishing have their own guidelines. 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
Goodie3Author
Participant
May 11, 2020

Hello Nancy,

 

Thank you  – great details to understand.

 

Regards,

Carrie

BobLevine
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 1, 2020
File > Export > Adobe PDF (Print)
Goodie3Author
Participant
May 11, 2020

Hello Bob,

A solid straight forward answer – thank you.

Regards,

Carrie