Importing a Word document does not create a link

[stel_3299]

I have "create a link to text or spreadsheet" checked, but whenever I import a Word file, the link does not show up in InDesign under "links."

Any guidance on this?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

It's working on my system. Confirm that the preference is selected after placing.

What is the extension on the file?

OS platform and OS version?

InDesign version?

(Exact numbers, please.)

[stel_3299]

Windows 11. It's my wirk machine so I assume an enterprise edition. It's a .docx file. Latest Creative Cloud version updated a few days ago. 

Not in front of my computer right now, but I'll check the setting after I place to make sure.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

FWIW, linking to a Word document is a very limited feature with few advantages to just a one-time Place.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

In theory, it works but can be problematic. All paragraph and character styles must be applied in Word, then matched up to styles during import. Also, one must remove overrides every time the link is updated. 

Em Software WordsFlow is a much better option.

[stel_3299]

Omg, that looks like exactly what I need!

My InDesign version is 20.2 with Windows 11 Enterprise 23H2.

After more tests, I've narrowed down the issue. I can't link into already created text boxes. 

But the link does work for new text boxes.

I'm using a template someone else created so to move forward I would need to redo all text boxes. I can't even create a new text box with the link and thread into existing boxes or the link disappears.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

>>>After more tests, I've narrowed down the issue. I can't link into already created text boxes. 

That is correct. You can't link "after the fact". Links occur when the preference is on and you place. You can turn it off after you placed so future imports won't be linked (it won't affect existing links).

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

That is correct. You can't link "after the fact". 

By Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Depends on what is the end goal 😉 

Kind of a workaround - if current contents is more important - would be to export contents of the current Story as RTF - then link it back - then work on this RTF 😉 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I don't count that as a workaround. You are effectively turning on the preference and placing the text with the preference on. Exactly as a said. The SOURCE of the text--either directly from Word or exported to RTF--isn't the issue.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Dave Creamer of IDEAS

But if you link "new" RTF - you'll lose current contents & formatting - so if current state is more important - it's a "workaround"?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

The RTF, effectively a Word file, will export with InDesign styles set up as Word styles. When pre-placed, it should be set to match up to same-name styles.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

The RTF, effectively a Word file, will export with InDesign styles set up as Word styles. When pre-placed, it should be set to match up to same-name styles.

By Dave Creamer of IDEAS

I know 😉 

I'm talking about the situation, where already made changes in the InDesign are more important than what was changed in the RTF - after initial import. 

[stel_3299]

Ugh! Why??? (sobs)

Anyway, these are 50+ page documents with teams of six working on them, but they all have to be formatted the same before publication and we're trying to eliminate pain points, especially with last minute changes.

Thanks for the guidance. Very much appreciated.

Going to see if they'll stretch for that plugin. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@stel_3299

InCopy... 

[stel_3299]

InCopy is not an option in this office.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

InCopy is not an option in this office.

By stel_3299

Why?

Way cheaper than WordsFlow - and way safer/stable...

[BobLevine]

InCopy is not an option in this office.

By stel_3299

That's unfortunate because it's the best solution. In the future it would help if you told us why.

[stel_3299]

The cost isn't the issue. This is a government office. I can't get into details suffice to say I'm working with anaylsts who won't step outside of Word. So I have to find a solution where they get to control the content in Word, while I get to do my job while minimizing errors creeping into the designed document. 

Right now the process is copying and pasting into predesigned templates, and it's inefficient and error prone. So both Word and mirrored exported pdf files have to be checked and rechecked. Couple this with the fact managers want to see documents in as finished state as possible with every draft.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Understood, but the bottom line is that Word into InDesign is all but a one-way process, with very restricted and fussy ability to update the Word doc and have a successful import to ID. Even with attention to detail and a high focus on the details (which is just about the opposite of every Word user, everywhere) it's a fragile approach.

As noted, the only really good tool that enables a full Word<->ID loop is the WordsFlow plugin.

Sometimes there's no good solution if you have to let authors hack away in Word and maintain a doc in ID. Good luck, though.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

[...] As noted, the only really good tool that enables a full Word<->ID loop is the WordsFlow plugin. [...]

By James Gifford—NitroPress

Unfortunately, it's not always bulletproof.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Unfortunately, it's not always bulletproof.

By Robert at ID-Tasker

What problems have you run into with the plugin?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

What problems have you run into with the plugin?

By Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Nothing personal 😉 just that some people reported problems in the past. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Probably a PEBKAC error. 😜😜

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Just a note that WordsFlow provides two-way editing: Word to ID and ID to Word.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

The cost isn't the issue. This is a government office. I can't get into details suffice to say I'm working with anaylsts who won't step outside of Word. So I have to find a solution where they get to control the content in Word, while I get to do my job while minimizing errors creeping into the designed document. 

Right now the process is copying and pasting into predesigned templates, and it's inefficient and error prone. So both Word and mirrored exported pdf files have to be checked and rechecked. Couple this with the fact managers want to see documents in as finished state as possible with every draft.

By stel_3299

Any chance you can use "carrots and sticks" approach?

Influence some changes, that would - mostly 😉 - make your life easier?