How can I quickly convert all text to outlines in a 44-page InDesign document?

[Frans van der Vleuten]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a 44-page InDesign file and I need to convert all text on all pages to outlines. I know how to do this manually via Type > Create Outlines, but that’s very time-consuming for a document of this size.

Is there a way to automate this process?
Ideally via a script or some kind of batch operation?

I’m using the Dutch version of InDesign, and I have no experience in comfortable running scripts. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Frans

[Manan Joshi]

The following one liner should do the trick

app.documents[0].stories.everyItem().createOutlines()

-Manan

[Manan Joshi]

For executing the script you can look at the following article

https://creativepro.com/how-to-install-a-script-in-indesign-that-you-found-in-a-forum-or-blog-post/

To be extra safe make a copy of your document before executing the script

-Manan

[Willi Adelberger]

No, don't do that. It is destroying content and deleting content. 

[Manan Joshi]

Thanks @Willi Adelberger for sharing this warning. I have no experience with outlines. I just took this as a scripting question. Good that you added context to this

-Manan

[Willi Adelberger]

Outlining in InDesign deletes text frame strokes and colors, automatic  bullets and numbers, footnotes, cross references and much more. 

[Willi Adelberger]

Never outline text in InDesign as it is an absolute no-go. This function is only for graphic purposes. You will get a lot of problems which were often discussed here. 

If you need outlines you can do it in Acrobat Pro, Print Production, Preflight with a singlr click, even with PDFs with thousands of pages without any problem. 

[rob day]

Hi @Frans van der Vleuten , Before this thread gets locked see this:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/outline-text-with-bullets-numbering/td-p/9901724...

Is this for an onlne printer? Some online printers will ask for outlines as a hedge against missing fonts, but in Acrobat you can check to make sure the fonts are included via Document Properties>Fonts.

[davecourtemanche]

You can convert fonts to outline in Acrobat with far better results.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

This is a very bad idea for so many reasons, and if you are being asked to do this by a supposedly "professional" printer, I'd look for somone else. Asking for outlines in this day and age is downright archaic.

There are on a few processes I have dealt with that still need to have text converted to outlines, e.g. flexography, CNC processes, etc, none of which I doubt applies here for a 44-page book.

The other issue is that outlines from improperly-made variable fonts have been known to cause problems, especially with CNC machines, as the letter forms are layered pieces of glyphs as opposed to a united single shape.

Outlining in Acrobat is possible, yes, but is affected by this variable font issue also.