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Rob30857349c3uq
Participant
August 29, 2023
Answered

importing 160pp word into indesign with number headings (2 Title / 2.1 Sub title / 2.2 Sub title)

  • August 29, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 263 views

Hi, 

 

I have a large word document with numbering applied to the titles and sub titles. We also have bullets, tables, graphs and embedded links to pull in. The indesign document Im flowing into has already quite a few styles prepared so I may map this afterwards?. Im a little unclear what's the best setting when importing a large word.docx into indesign 2023 (Report).

 

I want to retain some fomatting so I can replace with my own styles. Also, the numbering goes odd when testing, the titles/subtitles increment by whole numbers (2, 3,4) , but we have 2 and then 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 3 etc.. can we force word to make this text before we import?

 

Whats the best and safest way to import word 

 

Mac OSX

indeisgn 2023

 

Rob

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer James Gifford—NitroPress

The short answer, really, is... just do it. It's not an irreversible, one-time action. Import it using method A; if it works, great, if not, dump the ID file and try method B. No need to get hung up over trying to get it "right in one."

 

That said, it's just a matter of placing the Word doc in an ID text flow, being sure to check the "Show Import Options" box on the Import menu so that you get the full style map and option list. 

 

If you can't get the starting import you want in a few tries, ask more specific questions here. If the Word doc has well-managed styles, it should be easy. If the Word doc is the usual sloppy mess of undefined styles and lots of local/override formatting... well, you'll have to clean it up at one end or the other. 

 

Note also that ID is best with "real Word" files. Those from clones and alt apps like Pages and Docs will have issues, especially with fussy stuff like numbered lists. 

1 reply

James Gifford—NitroPress
James Gifford—NitroPressCorrect answer
Legend
August 29, 2023

The short answer, really, is... just do it. It's not an irreversible, one-time action. Import it using method A; if it works, great, if not, dump the ID file and try method B. No need to get hung up over trying to get it "right in one."

 

That said, it's just a matter of placing the Word doc in an ID text flow, being sure to check the "Show Import Options" box on the Import menu so that you get the full style map and option list. 

 

If you can't get the starting import you want in a few tries, ask more specific questions here. If the Word doc has well-managed styles, it should be easy. If the Word doc is the usual sloppy mess of undefined styles and lots of local/override formatting... well, you'll have to clean it up at one end or the other. 

 

Note also that ID is best with "real Word" files. Those from clones and alt apps like Pages and Docs will have issues, especially with fussy stuff like numbered lists. 

    R
    Rob30857349c3uqAuthor
    Participant
    August 29, 2023

    Thanks... The numbering from Word (3 levels) is not being pulled into my document. I'm happy for the numbering to directly be applied as text in InDesign (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.21 etc). How do I get InDesign to match this?

    James Gifford—NitroPress
    James Gifford—NitroPress
    Legend
    August 29, 2023

    The two apps don't manage the numbering in quite the same way. If ID doesn't read the Word format correctly (which probably means it was set up sloppily, an easy thing to do in Word), the only straightforward fix is to set up numbered headings in ID and apply them.

     

    With luck, you will be able to do this using existing style assignments and not have to re-tag everything. 

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