InDesign Help on using Multi-page PDF script

[Rian29894798wcpx]

Working in InDesign, when I use the script to import multi-page PDF files, I create the new document at the PDF size. Once imported, I change the doc size to the print size. This would typically center the pages, with the new InDesign 2025, that is not happening. Is there a step I am missing?

Otherwise, I have to manually center over 100 pages. 

[m1b]

Hi @Rian29894798wcpx I just did a test of what you describe (but manually placing the pdf, not with script). When I change the page size to larger, the pdf page(s) are centered. I'm using Indesign 20.0 on MacOS 15.1.

Can you try the experiment with a new document and manually placing a page or two? We need to determine if it is something to do with your document, or something the script is doing. Off the top of my head, I can't think of what would cause this. Liquid layout? Post a small demo document if you think it will help—it would be a good test to see if it is just your system, or whether other people have the same results, meaning that it is the document.

- Mark

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

It depends on whether you have facing pages on, and even if not, whether you have a single parent page and not a double.

[Dirk Becker]

Does it correspond to your reference point setting (those 9 squares in the left of the control strip, or transform panel)?

Also try LayoutWindow.transformReferencePoint .

[Peter Spier · Accepted solution]

I suspect you are using the sample script include with InDesign.

I much prefer using the script you can find at https://github.com/mike-edel/ID-MultiPageImporter/releases which is far more flexible and will allow you to make your file at the finshed dimension and position your placed pages as you like on the page.

[Rian29894798wcpx]

Thank you, Peter.  That worked brilliantly.  Just what I wanted.  🙂

[m1b]

I'm not sure if you are changing the page size using a script but, if so, you have good control of what happens:

// double the size of the first page
// keeping content in the center
app.activeDocument.pages[0].resize(
    CoordinateSpaces.PAGE_COORDINATES,
    AnchorPoint.CENTER_ANCHOR,
    ResizeMethods.MULTIPLYING_CURRENT_DIMENSIONS_BY,
    [2, 2]
);

It uses "page coordinates" coordinate space for the transform so it works even with facing pages or multi-page spreads.

- Mark