How to export multiple indd files to individual PDF's?

[KMK_media_group]

Is there a way without using scripting, to simply take, say 10 single indesign files (all just single 3.5x2 business card layouts) and export them to a pre-defined PDF preset resulting in 10 single PDF's? (other than one at a time?)

I tried a few things from Acrobat 9 pro, one of them being File/export/export multiple files/  thinking that must be the ticket, but

1) I can't find my pre-defined PDF preset in the "export to dropdown list" (but thats secondary, probably can add that in somehow, right?) and

2) even when I just pick PDF/a or PDF/x it starts the process, then tries to open each indd doc but a message comes up saying it can't open the INDD  file(s) and nothing was processed.

Can someone help me with this?

Thank you.

[Peter Spier]

Well, it isn't sufficient to launce the CS5 ESTK...

[lockjaw8y9]

So, Bob, maybe it's time to ditch CS3 and startup CS5!

I wonder, though, if you had CS5 open with no docs open, would CS3 start instead of CS5? In most cases, the behavior seems to be that Acrobat looks for a running helper app that can open the file type you want to convert. Failing that, it will then open the app that's in its mind as the default app for that activity. If starting CS5 is all it takes to register with ExtendScript, then if you start the conversion with ID CS5 open, then the conversion should proceed as expected.

James

[BobLevine]

Doesn't work that way, IME. That was the first thing I tried.

Bob

[Peter Spier]

If these are files saved in CS5 then you would naturally get an error trying to process them in CS4 because CS4 can't open CS5 files.

[KMK_media_group]

Peter,

That makes TOTAL sense. Now I wonder why I didn't think of that before.

I went to go test that theory by opening my CS5 files and converting them to CS4 files......but unlike Illustrator, it looks like that isn't an option?

(I always assumed you could save to earlier versions in case you needed to send the raw Indesign file to someone with an earlier version)

So 2 questions.

1) Is there a way to save the file as an earlier version? (just curious really) and..

2) I guess now I need to wait and hear back from BobLevine or someone on why Acrobat opens INDD4 rather than INDD5.

But thanks, I am sure that is the answer of the error messages.

[BobLevine]

1. Export to IDML and open that in CS4. Not really advisable for this purpose as text will reflow and new features will be lost or mangled.

2. I've posted in Acrobat forum and waiting for one of the gurus to help out.

Bob

[KMK_media_group]

1. Actually that method worked pretty well for saving as a previous version. These files were pretty simple though.

    I went ahead though and tried converting some old INDD CS4 files I had and the batch method worked perfectly.

2. Now we just need to hear back from your Acrobat post!

Thanks!

[Mr. Met]

Jeez, a lot of work trying to figure out how to configure Acrobat when the script I posted would have worked flawlessly. Isn't the idea to get a bunch of ID files to PDF with the least effort? Trying to use Acrobat sounds like more trouble than it's worth. You don't have to leave ID to use the script but you have to open a 2nd app (Acrobat) to do it the other way. My rule of thumb for workflow is to try to leave ID as few times as possible.

[Guest]

duuuuuude, awesome script! i'm in retail and making multiple versions of ads for different newspapers and that script is perfect, thanks for pointing it out!

[Martin Dedron]

Ten years after, the link is dead.
I wanted to ask if someone still had this script.

Thank you !

[macinbytes]

Bob's batch solution works fine for me. Don't forget to set Acrobat to the preset you want.

[charissawest]

It's 2020 and InDesign Files are not listed as an option in my Acrobat. I have 2019. I have 20 in-design files I want to create into 1 single PDF file, and I'm not seeing a simple way to do it. I tried to do a batch, but when it gets to the part about unzipping the file, I have no file to unzip when I right click on User. 

[Jeremy AB]

I can confirm that the script mentioned above works flawlessly, is simple and quick... an awesome time saver. Going through Acrobat seems like more work to figure it out, the script is fine and works directly from InDesign.

[TO_ProductionGuy]

Recommend Badia Exporttools -

[Laubender]

@Martin Dedron said:

"Ten years after, the link is dead.
I wanted to ask if someone still had this script."

Hi Martin,

below a functional link:

Batch-process (convert/export/import) documents
by Peter Kahrel
Version history: 1 Aug. 2021: you can now add more than one script in the 'Run a script' field.

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/batch_convert.html

Peter's scripts moved to CreativePro some years ago.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )