Exporting InDesign ePub from a Mac for a PC...

[paulf53085977]

Hi,

Is there anyway to export a fixed-layout ePub from InDesign on a Mac so that it can be opened and read on a PC?

[BobLevine]

Thorium Reader is about the best reader for Windows and it is absolutely irrelevant what platform the EPUB is created on.

[paulf53085977]

Thanks Bob. That's great to know. So, there isn't any export options in InDesign on my Mac that'd make the ePub PC-friendly. The reason I ask is we'd like to share the ePub via email if at all possible and don't want to require the recipient to download an app. As a work-around, we could upload the HTML code to the client's site and have them read it there. I was hoping for another solution. 

-Paul

[Dan Rodney]

There's nothing inherently Mac or PC about ePub files, so there are no special settings for Windows. But ePub files require an app to view them, of which Windows does not have one pre-installed. They'd have to download an app.

If they need to read the file but don't need an ePub, consider sending a PDF which they should have no issue with.

[BobLevine]

Let's back up...what's the end game here? What is the purpose of the EPUB and who is the audience?

There are multiple choices here from using Publish Online, sending a PDF, creating a web site or using in5 to create HTML content.

[paulf53085977]

Hi Bob, 

The end game is to share an ePub to new business prospects. These prospects could be on a Mac or PC. The tactical outreach will be via social media and eblasts. Ultimately, we'd like the ePub to be viewable on most devices. What I'm finding is the best path forward is to embed the HTML code on our client's website. Those who click on the link to view this ePub will be taken to the client's web page. The viewer can read it there or download a PDF. If there's a better option, I'm happy to hear it. Thanks!

[BobLevine]

And most of them will do so from a mobile device and find something awful there since Publish Online is not responsive.

I'd rethink this if I were you.

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

Have a look at InDesign’s Publish Online - it’s easy to produce documents with it if you know InDesign, it can include all kinds of interactivity, animations and video and such documents can be read on any device -- PC, Mac, Tablet, or Smart Phone that has a HTML5 browser and can access the internet. You can also enable it so the user can download a (static) PDF copy of the publication.

The only disadvantage is it has to be hosted on Adobe servers and you can't monetise the content. But that doesn’t matter for many kinds of publications, such as brochures, catalogues and free magazines and books.

[paulf53085977 · Accepted solution]

Yes, Publish Online seems to be the best option for this project. Thanks!