indb structure

[Don34862646jbr5]

First of all, thanks to all who replied to my initial post about whether I should make each question a separate thread.

I have created a book and have imported to it the separate files for the front matter, preface, chapters, appendices, and index, in that order. The first thing I don't understand is whether those indd files now have two existences in some sense--one as separate files and one as related files in the book. For example, if I open Chapter 1 as a separate indd document and make some changes, will those changes be reflected in the book's Chapter 1 or do I have do delete and re-import it? Conversely, if I make changes in the book's Chapter 1, will the separate Chapter 1 file reflect them? Or is there only one copy of Chapter 1, and I can open it either separately or from the book? (I hope this makes some sense, but I wouldn't guarantee that.)

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

The book file just links to the individual InDesign documents. So one copy. 

[Eugene Tyson · Accepted solution]

Open the files from the Book Panel.

If you open the files and make edits outside the Book Panel it will need to update the file. 

The file in the Book Panel is the only file - but it's interconnected with the book panel.

If working witht he Book feature, it's best to have the Book file open and access the files from the Book Panel.

I know I said the same thing twice in different ways.

[Don34862646jbr5]

Eugene,

Yes, you did say the same thing in two ways, but that helped. It's also the sign of a good teacher. Sometimes denser students (modesty forbids mentioning my own name) need a second angle. Thank you. Now I can move on to my second question, in a new thread.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

@Eugene Tyson stated, you should open. your files from the book file. This prevents accidently opening and editing the wrong version of a file. As I mentioned, the book file only _links_ to the InDesign documents, much like InDesign documents link to images when placed.

This is what a book file would look like:

Some book tips:

1. Don't rename your documents with a save-as. For example, MyFile_v1.indd to MyFile_v2.indd. This will mess up your book links. 
2. Some book shortcuts:
   Open all [selected] chapters--select the files in the book file and double-click on one of the selected files.
   Save all open files--Mac: Cmd-Opt-Shift-S; Win: Cntl-Alt-Shift-S.
   Close all open files (best done after a save all)--Mac: Cmd-Opt-Shift-W; Win: Cntl-Alt-Shift-W.
3. See my other post to one of your questions about book numbering:
   https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/page-numbering-in-a-book/m-p/15360011#M627466

[Don34862646jbr5]

"the book file only _links_ to the InDesign documents, much like InDesign documents link to images when placed."

Dave, that simile really helped. It also makes clearer in my mind why I should open individual chapter files only from within the book.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Some people make back ups by doing a save as. I've had clients who had editors open the files from the folder and end up opening the wrong version. THEN they claimed InDesign was losing their edits when they were editing the wrong file. 

[Don34862646jbr5]

I understand, and I'm not using Save As. I took seriously your #1 tip in your post from yesterday. (I took your other tips seriously also; I don't want them to feel slighted.) My chapters have tricky titles, such as Chapter 1.indd, Chapter 2.indd, etc. Instead I have a dedicated backup external drive where I can save copies of all files.