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Inspiring
August 1, 2022
Answered

How to update cross references when duplicating book files?

  • August 1, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 551 views

I have a book with multiple files, containing hundreds of cross references.

 

I want to copy/duplicate this book, including the files within, and move them to a new location (from my local computer to Google Drive).

But after I copy the files to Google Drive, the cross references in the copied files point to the original files on my local computer.

 

Is there a way to update all the cross refernces, to make them point to the new files instead of the old ones?

 

I tried copying the book file itself and then use "replace document" from the book palett, to replace each separate file.
I also tried creating a new book file, and add the new files into it. Every time I end up with the same result: the cross references within the new files are still pointing to the original files.

 

Any help would be highly appriciated!

 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Geоrge

Did you try a trick @Tak Osato from that thread:

 

I'm not sure if you tried this, but did you rename the folder at the old location so that internal cross-references can no longer find the old location? I believe when InDesign cannot find the old location, it tries to update the cross-references using relative paths.

quote

I. ☹

1 reply

Geоrge
Legend
August 1, 2022

Did you try to do a package?

Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
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Inspiring
August 1, 2022

I love your (or David's) faith in InDesign. But I'm afraid this is one case where this saying just doesn't hold up...
Sharing your optimism, I just tried the packaging option, but that didn't do the trick either. ☹

 

Further Googling has revealed that it's a known bug.

There's a discussion here, and the bug is reported here; If anyone would like to upvote this bug to help it go up in Adobe's priorities, that would be great.

Geоrge
GeоrgeCorrect answer
Legend
August 1, 2022

Did you try a trick @Tak Osato from that thread:

 

I'm not sure if you tried this, but did you rename the folder at the old location so that internal cross-references can no longer find the old location? I believe when InDesign cannot find the old location, it tries to update the cross-references using relative paths.

quote

I. ☹

Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner