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briann57175377
briann57175377
Inspiring
February 2, 2018
Answered

how to run the javascript in all active indesign documents?

  • February 2, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 5843 views

Hello all,

Newie here. I browsed through the different forums and assembled a simple script to set up the column and gutter on an indesign page, It's not this simple, it will be expanded later.

var doc = app.activeDocument;
 var page = doc.pages.item(0);
    page.marginPreferences.properties = {
       columnCount: 12,
        columnGutter: 0
        };

it works when run via Indesign script menu on the active document. I would like it so that it runs on all open documents. I googled far and wide, and found some sample, but i could not make it work, either syntax errors, var undefined, etc.

I tried the suggestion from how to apply my script to all opened files?, it didn't work.

It didn't work for me.

while (documents.length > 0) {
var doc = app.activeDocument;
 var page = doc.pages.item(0);
    page.marginPreferences.properties = {
       columnCount: 12,
        columnGutter: 0
        }
app.activeDocument.close()
}

I tried copying from another script that Mr. Kuhrel helped me with prior, it still runs but only on the active window.

The variables are not correct, that much i can tell but i don't know how to fix it.

for (var i = app.documents.length-1; i >= 0; i--) { 
var doc = app.activeDocument;
 var page = doc.pages.item(0);
    page.marginPreferences.properties = {
       columnCount: 3,
        columnGutter: 0
}  
}

Is there a universal wrapper that can be used to //insert codes here — to run on all open documents in indesign?

Regards and have a great weekend.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Jump_Over

Hi,

Closing doc while script run and keep relation for its execution on current DOM status can lead you into false result.

I suggest to use Peter Kahrel way with one modification:

  1. for (var i = app.documents.length-1; i >= 0; i--) { 
  2. var doc = app.documents; 
  3. var page = doc.pages.item(0); 
  4.     page.marginPreferences.properties = { 
  5.       columnCount: 3, 
  6.         columnGutter: 0 
  7. }   
  8. }

Jarek

3 replies

briann57175377
briann57175377Author
Inspiring
February 14, 2018

Sorry for the later reply, this is exactly what I needed. Thank you both!!

Jump_Over
Jump_OverCorrect answer
Legend
February 3, 2018

Hi,

Closing doc while script run and keep relation for its execution on current DOM status can lead you into false result.

I suggest to use Peter Kahrel way with one modification:

  1. for (var i = app.documents.length-1; i >= 0; i--) { 
  2. var doc = app.documents; 
  3. var page = doc.pages.item(0); 
  4.     page.marginPreferences.properties = { 
  5.       columnCount: 3, 
  6.         columnGutter: 0 
  7. }   
  8. }

Jarek

    E
    Enes5E82
    Participant
    March 22, 2021

    Hello,

     

    i have nearly the same issue, i want to save all opened pdf documents.. It is only saving one document to the path, can you help me please? 

     

    while (app.documents.length > 0) {

    this.saveAs("D:/Users/TestUser/Desktop/" + this.documentFileName);

    app.activeDocument.close()

    }

     

     

    I think i know my fault.. "this" only saves one doc in my case, maybe the solution is an array? I really dont know how to code this, im new in adobe scripting

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 22, 2021

    i want to save all opened pdf documents.

     

    You can’t open a PDF into InDesign (you can only Place PDFs), so maybe you are looking for an Acrobat script?

     

    For InDesign files you don’t need a file path unless they are new documents, so this would work for existing doc:

     

    while (app.documents.length > 0) {
    app.activeDocument.save()
    app.activeDocument.close()
}

     

    If you wanted a save as to a specified folder then:

     

    var fld = Folder.desktop

while (app.documents.length > 0) {
    app.activeDocument.save(File(fld + "/" +app.activeDocument.name))
    app.activeDocument.close()
}

     

      Colin Flashman
      Community Expert
      Colin FlashmanCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 3, 2018

      In your second javascript example, change the top line:

      while (documents.length > 0) {

      to the following:

      while (app.documents.length > 0) {

      Otherwise, there are other ways to run a script (or lots of scripts) to many documents. Check out this thread here:

      How to take an existing script and apply it to multiple documents

      If the answer wasn't in my post, perhaps it might be on my blog at colecandoo!
      E
      Enes5E82
      Participant
      March 22, 2021

      Hello,

       

      i have nearly the same issue, i want to save all opened pdf documents.. It is only saving one document to the path, can you help me please? 

       

      while (app.documents.length > 0) {

      this.saveAs("D:/Users/TestUser/Desktop/" + this.documentFileName);

      app.activeDocument.close()

      }

       

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