I am trying to anchor objects on different layers is this possible?

[JH-Wendy]

So I have a master document, with a Digital layer and a print layer.

In the master doc I will have a question

then in the print layer it has the answer, but in the digital layer, there is a an interactive feature allowing the reader to answer the question before showing the answer.

I need these items to stay together so that if the content in the master layer is edited, the individuals layers move with the master content.  Is there a way to make this possible, such as anchoring between layers?  If I could anchor the text on both the print layer and digital layer to the question on the master layer, that would be ideal.

Thanks!

Wendy

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Anchored objects can't be moved to a different layer.

But it can be easily automated - you would have to Anchor/InLine a "blank" object - Rectangle or TextFrame - set a unique label to it - then create your "answer" object - as a group or whatever - then set the same unique label to it.

Then, a custom tool would load info about the location of all the Anchored/InLined "blanks" and move correct "answers" to the correct places.

[JH-Wendy]

@Robert at ID-Tasker That absolutely sounds like exactly what I need!

IGNORE THE REST!  i THINK I DID IT!  THANK YOU!!!  IT WORKED!!!

Unfortunately, I think the explanation maybe in Swahili 😉 or maybe I need it in PigLatin, because, I have no idea how to execute that plan.  I have attached a sample of what I have, could I impose on you to possibly 'show' me what you mean?

I am not usually this dense, but I am not afraid to admit that it is way over my head. 😞

Thanks!!!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@JH-Wendy 

It was just a "recipe"/algorithm for a dedicated tool.

But as you are on Windows... My ID-Tasker tool should do it 😉 but isn't free... although, I can let you use full version for free for a few days - to test full functionality.

I see 3x buttons there - selected on the left, in InDesign:

Should they all "move together"?

And which object would be the "blank" to be followed?

Red anchored TextFrame on the left?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@JH-Wendy

And if there is ANY kind of a pattern - for the "blank" and "answer" objects - location, formatting, applied Char / Para Style - ANYTHING that can be used to find those objects - then you wouldn't even have to apply those unique names to them - IDT will find them and name them and then move them when needed. 

For now, this "following" won't be happening "live" - you would've to run IDT and a dedicated Task when needed - but you could work with only "blanks" visible - layer with "answers" hidden - and only refresh locations when needed. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@JH-Wendy

Can you explain what worked? 

[JH-Wendy]

Nope sorry, confused again!  I didn't actually get it working 😞 My org won't allow outside 'tools' like this, so I will just have to figure something out.  Thanks for the info though.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I haven't analysed behaviours of your buttons - but you can hide objects - and show when needed. 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-table-trouble/m-p/15144163#M610256

[Barb Binder]

Hi @JH-Wendy:

Working within InDesign's feature set, no, you can't anchor between layers. If you have an image on one layer and anchor it to text on another layer, the image will jump itself to the text layer. 

But you are trying to create a multi-version document and there are a few ways to approach it that stay within the feature set: layers, conditional text and alternative layouts.

• So layers are out, obviously.
• Conditonal text doesn't seem like the best approach (see the bottom of this page: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/editing-text.html). It involves setting up version tags and hiding/showing them. You could certainly play with it, but I'd lean towards an Alternate Layout. (See the bottom of this page: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/alternate-layouts-liquid-layouts.html).
• An alternate layout creates a different version of a document, within the same file. You can link them together so that they start out the same, but then you can add your interactive features to the digital version. They are both in one file so fairly easy to manage. For example,

I'd start there and then come back if you have additional questions. We are always happy to help.

~Barb

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I'm sorry @Barb Binder - but how Conditional Text and Alternate Layout can be converted to / used in an Interactive PDF?

It's not about preparing two versions of the same contents - but hiding an answer - till the question is answered correctly.

[Barb Binder]

Hi @JH-Wendy:

Perhaps I made a leap here—so please correct me if I'm wrong—but I'm assuming you want to print the print version, and view the interactive version online? And are looking for a way to manage both versions with minimal stress?

If yes, then in addition to what I already mentioned, if you use alternate layouts, you can print the print alternate layout, and export the digital alternate layout to PDF or Publish Online. They are just page ranges within the same file. 

Again, if you have any questions, @JH-Wendy , just ask!

~Barb

[Eugene Tyson]

Just to recap what your options are to lay it out and see what you would like to proceed with

An option - but probably not ideal

Group the master question with both the print and digital answers.
Keep all grouped objects on the same layer but control their visibility using layer options.

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Use Object Layer Options (for placed PSDs) or Conditional Text (if the text approach works) to toggle between digital and print elements.

This is an example of how it works - it could be an option

https://www.trainingconnection.com/indesign/lessons/conditional-text.php

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@m1b I think recently demonstrated power of script labels and probably correct me on this approach if it's possible

Scripting and Hidden Anchors
Anchor an empty text frame (a "blank" object) to the question.
In the Window>Utilities go to Script Labels this way you can insert a description --- then give the answer frames a label matching this anchor.

Then a script to reposition answers to match the anchor locations when needed.

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Alternate Layouts - as per @Barb Binder 
Create an Alternate Layout for digital and print versions.
Link corresponding text frames between the two layouts so they update together.

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Unfortunately, there’s no built-in way to anchor across layers, but scripting or alternate layouts would likely be the best workaround.

[m1b]

Hi @Eugene Tyson yes it is definitely possible to configure the document so that running a script will restore the relationship between page items, eg. to position the button near the answer text frame. But I can't tell if that will meet Wendy's needs.

Hi @JH-Wendy would it be possible for you to describe—from the point of view of the user—how your document would work? For example, do they open a pdf, fill out a form field with their answer to a question, then click a button to trigger the actual answer to appear? If so, what is the print document like?

Without knowing more, I'm wondering if you could set up a multi-state object in Indesign, and add in a little scripting in Acrobat to do the showing/hiding. The states would show (a) The message to the user and the answer form field and the answer submit button, (b) the answer, and (c) the print version. See quick example .indd attached. Then a script can be used to toggle between state 1 and state 3 (for printing). That's one idea anyway.

- Mark