Skip to main content
M
mrinmoy1984
Inspiring
April 30, 2010
Answered

How to convert textframe to button

  • April 30, 2010
  • 2 replies
  • 3494 views

How to convert textframe to button?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Marc Autret

    I didn't find a 'clean' way to do this through the DOM. As a workaround you can emulate a "Convert to button" action, provided your script is allowed to select the textframe target:

    // convertToButton for ID CS4

    function convertToButton(/*PageItem*/obj, /*str*/bName, /*str*/bDesc)
    {
         app.selection = [obj];
         var maCreateButton = app.menuActions.item('$ID/$$$/Dialog/CmdName/CreateButton'),
              ret;
         if( !maCreateButton.isValid ) return false;

         maCreateButton.invoke();
         ret = app.selection[0];
              
         ret.name = bName||ret.name;
         ret.description = bDesc||ret.description;
              
         return ret;
    };
    // sample code
    var myTextFrame = app.activeDocument.textFrames[0];
    var myButton = convertToButton(myTextFrame);

    Note: this approach is used in FlyingButtons:

    http://www.indiscripts.com/post/2010/03/flyingbuttons-a-script-to-automate-pdf-portfolios

    @+

    Marc

    2 replies

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 20, 2019

    Hi mrinmoy1984 ,

    you can do the following without using a menu action:

    1. Add a button to the document using buttons.add()

    2. Access the first state of the button and use method addItemsToState()

    The only argument of that method is an array that contains the item or the items you like to convert to a button.

    3. Get rid of a rectangle that was automatically added to the first state when doing buttons.add().

    With one element on spread one of a document, the text frame you want to convert to a button, run this script snippet:

    var doc = app.documents[0];
    var itemYouLikeToConvert = doc.spreads[0].textFrames[0];
    var myButton = doc.spreads[0].buttons.add();
    var tempRect = myButton.states[0].groups[0].rectangles[0];
    myButton.states[0].addItemsToState([itemYouLikeToConvert]);
    tempRect.remove();

    Regards,
    Uwe

      sreekarthikeyank
      sreekarthikeyank
      Known Participant
      August 21, 2019

      Thanks you so much. Can you please suggest me to enable the property of below

        L
        Community Expert
        LaubenderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 21, 2019

        Hi sreekarthikeyank ,

        look into DOM documentation for the Button object:

        Adobe InDesign CS6 (8.0) Object Model JS: Button

        There you'll find all properties you'll need.

        Especiall look into the various behaviors that are offered.

        Especially this one:

        Adobe InDesign CS6 (8.0) Object Model JS: ShowHideFieldsBehavior

        myButton.showHideFieldsBehaviors.add
        (
            {
                behaviorEvent : BehaviorEvents.MOUSE_DOWN
            }
        );

        Properties fieldsToHide and fieldsToShow are of interest as well.

        Regards,
        Uwe

        Marc Autret
        Marc AutretCorrect answer
        Legend
        April 30, 2010

        I didn't find a 'clean' way to do this through the DOM. As a workaround you can emulate a "Convert to button" action, provided your script is allowed to select the textframe target:

        // convertToButton for ID CS4

        function convertToButton(/*PageItem*/obj, /*str*/bName, /*str*/bDesc)
        {
             app.selection = [obj];
             var maCreateButton = app.menuActions.item('$ID/$$$/Dialog/CmdName/CreateButton'),
                  ret;
             if( !maCreateButton.isValid ) return false;

             maCreateButton.invoke();
             ret = app.selection[0];
                  
             ret.name = bName||ret.name;
             ret.description = bDesc||ret.description;
                  
             return ret;
        };
        // sample code
        var myTextFrame = app.activeDocument.textFrames[0];
        var myButton = convertToButton(myTextFrame);

        Note: this approach is used in FlyingButtons:

        http://www.indiscripts.com/post/2010/03/flyingbuttons-a-script-to-automate-pdf-portfolios

        @+

        Marc

        M
        mrinmoy1984Author
        Inspiring
        April 30, 2010

        Thanks mark,

        It's working. I've also tried to do it from DOM. But failed to find appropriate method. Thanks again!!!!

        sreekarthikeyank
        sreekarthikeyank
        Known Participant
        August 20, 2019

        Can you please suggest to handle the same in server instead of selection. Your help should be appreciated.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices