How do I share a Document Tttle across multiple files in book file

[jeanne_c]

I have several files in a book file. The first file has the document title, p-tagged as "Document Title". I then use a variable also called <Document Title> in the footer, like this:

© 2025 MyCompany Inc. Proprietary and Confidential
<Document Title>

Here's the variable definition:

The document title appears in the footer of all pages of the first file, as expected, but it does not appear in any of the later files in the book. That space is blank. I synchronized the later files to the first file, but that didn't change anything.

How do I share the document title across all the files? Or do I need to set this up differently?

[Barb Binder]

Hi @jeanne_c:

Two options (the second is significantly faster):

• You can open another file, choose Type > Text Variables > Define and use the Load button to load the variables from another file, or
• You can use Synchronize Options in the book window panel menu. Uncheck everything except for Text Variables to just sync the variables to the other files in the book. Read up on the process first by scrolling down to Synchronize book documents
  on this page: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/creating-book-files.html

~Barb

[jeanne_c]

Neither of those options accomplished my goal.

[Robert at ID-Tasker · Accepted solution]

You need to declare your variable as Custom Text:

But this will mean changing it manually every time you need a new "title".

[jeanne_c]

When I change the variable type to Custom Text, I lose the option to use the Document Title paragraph style. So I would have to type the full title in the Custom Text variable. Maybe that's the only way.

[Robert at ID-Tasker · Accepted solution]

When I change the variable type to Custom Text, I lose the option to use the Document Title paragraph style. So I would have to type the full title in the Custom Text variable. Maybe that's the only way.

By @jeanne_c

Yeah, that's the only way.

It looks like information about the "last" RH from the previous document isn't transferred to the next document.

It could be scripted - probably even for free, but with a limited functionality - or if you work on Windows and would like to try my paid solution, test it for free for some time - please let me know.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@jeanne_c

Have you changed your mind about marking my reply as a "correct answer"? Just asking, to check if system is broken again.

[jeanne_c]

I think that when Barb marked my comment as a Correct answer, the system got confused.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I think that when Barb marked my comment as a Correct answer, the system got confused.

By @jeanne_c

But have you UNMARKED my answer on purpose? 

Or you've only marked it - and then haven't "touched" it again?

Just asking. 

[Barb Binder]

No idea what happened there but Jeanne marking yours as correct is in my history. So I remarked it for you , Robert. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

No idea what happened there but Jeanne marking yours as correct is in my history. So I remarked it for you , Robert. 

By @Barb Binder

Yes, I have received notification as well, but when I've viewed thread again - it was unmarked - so someone must've unmarked it on purpose? 

And a completely different post was marked as correct initially - not the one that you've marked right now? 

[Barb Binder]

Tell me which one and I'll fix it. I'm babysitting my 1 tr old grandson and switched to my phone when he woke up. I didn't unmark the original and am happy to take care of this for you. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Tell me which one and I'll fix it. I'm babysitting my 1 tr old grandson and switched to my phone when he woke up. I didn't unmark the original and am happy to take care of this for you. 

By @Barb Binder

It's not about my post being marked - I have a lot of them anyway - and jeanne re-marked it already. 

Just checking if there is another bug on the forum - like with upvoting. 

[Barb Binder]

Hi @jeanne_c:

Syncing the text variables as I described will sync all variables, but you will still need to call them in the parent page, which is an other option in the Synchronize Options. 

~Barb

[jeanne_c]

Thank you, Barb and Robert. Between you both, I think I've got a solution..

[Barb Binder]

Excellent! I belatedly realized I misunderstood your question so came back to clean up my answer but happy to hear you are back in business!

~Barb