InDesign Metadata script for document title and author

[Supa_Pea]

Hi, I need to add metadata on 100+ documents for three different products. Is it a script that I can run on them instead of manually adding meta doc title and author 1 by 1?

For exmaple, the file name is TEST_document_form.pdf, title will need to be TEST document form, and author will be TEST. Basically, same file name for title but without the underscores and '.pdf.' (See screenshot). I have three product names for 'author' (i.e. TEST), I will need to be to able amend this in the script.

These documents will be updated from time to time, so I'm looking for an efficient way to maintain.

I have seen people post scripts in replies, but I'm not sure how to save it as a script file? i.e copy the code from broswer, then where do I paste to re-save and what format? Apologises if this is silly but I'm new to scripts and couldn't quite understand it from other posts.

Many thanks for any help in advance.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

https://creativepro.com/how-to-install-scripts-in-indesign/

If you won't find a free solution then I would suggest my ID-Tasker tool (not free) - it can do that easily and way more.

[Supa_Pea]

Thank you!! That's great, I have managed to follow to instruction and save the code and import in InDesign. 

[Kasyan Servetsky]

Something like this:

main();

function main() {
	var doc = app.activeDocument;
	var fileName = doc.name;

	var author = "";
	// get author - everything up to the 1st underscore
	if (fileName.match(/_/) != null) {
		author = fileName.split("_")[0];
	}

	fileName = fileName.replace(/\.indd$/, ""); // remove extention
	fileName = fileName.replace(/_/g, " ") // replace underscores with spaces

	var metaData = doc.metadataPreferences;
	metaData.documentTitle = fileName;
	metaData.author = author;
}

You can try it with my Batch processor to process 100+ documents.

[Supa_Pea]

Thank you so much Kasyan!!! That's fantastic! That's clever. I just tried it and it works great. 

It only works if the doc is already open, is there any way to add into the code so that I can point to to a certain folder, and the script will open each file and add metadata, save and close? Sorry, I know it's a lot to ask but it will hugely save time and improve workflow.

I have already got batch convert script installed (convert indd to pdf), I have tried to click on your batch processor link but I can't access atm (company firewall).

Thank you in advance!!

[Kasyan Servetsky]

Here's a new version (5.0) of my batch processor script (on DropBox). I had no time to post it on my site yet.
It supports UXP scripts and IDML files.

Let me know if you're able to download it now.

[Supa_Pea]

Thank you Kasyan. I have downloaded the batch processor 5.0, it works  but I need to do more work on this. I ran 'single script' and checked 'Save documents on closing', now the new documents with '.indd' on the filenames (I have already got the same as file extension). And the original files are staying the same (previous versions). Is it a way to save over the orginal files by not adding '.indd'? I will use the Backups checkbox option for keeping the original documents, so changing the filenames will ad another step for me to rename.

Also, if I want to make the metadata author name to 'Company name', how do I tweak the existing code you wrote above? There are a few product lines' documents and they will have different company names on the 'author' metadata, I will need to alter the 'author' for each product and save them under different jsx files.

As always, thanks so much and you've been a great help!

[Kasyan Servetsky]

I ran 'single script' and checked 'Save documents on closing', now the new documents with '.indd' on the filenames (I have already got the same as file extension). And the original files are staying the same (previous versions). Is it a way to save over the orginal files by not adding '.indd'? I will use the Backups checkbox option for keeping the original documents, so changing the filenames will ad another step for me to rename.

This shouldn't and doesn't happen on my side. Could you take a screenshot of the settings you used? What is your InDesign version? Which platform: Mac/Windows?
Are you working locally or on the network? If the latter, are you able to save it manually?

Also, if I want to make the metadata author name to 'Company name', how do I tweak the existing code you wrote above? There are a few product lines' documents and they will have different company names on the 'author' metadata, I will need to alter the 'author' for each product and save them under different jsx files.

From your original post, looking at your example, I guessed that you want to get the author from the file name: everything from the beginning to the 1st underscore.

Here I prepared a new script with an arguments file (author.txt). See the screenshot to get the idea, and read the script description for details.

[Supa_Pea]

Thank you thank you! Really appreciate your kindness and time helping me with the scripts! That new script with author.txt works like a charm. Exactly what I need. Yes you're right, I intially asked for the 'author' to be the first part of file name up to the 1st underscore. But now the client who has other products (Another 500+ docs) also wants other docs with the full names hence my last reply. However, with the 'batch processor 5.0' and 'add metadata' scripts, the re-written files still have .indd twice, it keep the original files in same names.

Re your questions:
This shouldn't and doesn't happen on my side. Could you take a screenshot of the settings you used? What is your InDesign version? Which platform: Mac/Windows?
Are you working locally or on the network? If the latter, are you able to save it manually?

Here's the screenshot (for yesterday's test):


I use PC (work laptop) to runs the test locally on desktop, with InDesign 20.0.1. I also just ran the same test on my mac, and the outcome is the same with indd x2. I'm trying work this out before I work on 500+ InDesign files on a network (from a PC).

With the new script, I followed your screenshots/instructions exactly. And .indd are appearing twice on the new files, on both pc and mac.

[Kasyan Servetsky]

... and the outcome is the same with indd x2 ...

I tested it on my notebook — windows 10, InDesign 19.5 (too old for 20) — and it works properly.

Try the previous version 4.8. Does the problem occur with it?

Do you get an error message in the Batch processor 5.0.txt? If an error occurs, it is created on the desktop even when the logging is off.

Try to turn logging on. It lists file names. Do they have doubled extensions?

Could you send me a file for testing? Maybe something is wrong with the files. In my experience, it sometimes happens when a 3rd party plug-in is used.

Try to export a file to IDML and back to INDD and test the script against it.

Do you have ESTK / VS Code installed?

[Supa_Pea]

Hi @Kasyan Servetsky , batch processor 4.8 doesn't work for me (error log attached if intested). I think I might have figured out  the reason of the indd duplication. The InDesign files in the test folder were created some time ago, using different versions between 2022 to 2024 of InDesign. When they are re-written, an extra '.indd' appear on the filenames. However, when I re-saved the docs to the latest InDesign (2025) today, your script works perfectly, the files are overwritten with your script with no extra files .indd.indd extension in the folder.

With over 500+ docs to amend, a lot of them were last saved in previous versions of InDesign, what's the best way to go about this? Another script to convert files to the current version first? Or use 'batch rename' function in Bridge afterwards (this will mean manually moving older versions around and this action will need to be repeated in many folders/subfolders, my worry is it's more likely to have human errors if we do this)? Another thing is, my workmates may be using different versions of InDesign, and we upgrade InDesign in different times, so to restrict indd version we use in the script may be a challenge? As I expect we'll run this exercise from time to time now, and it will be done by different people.

No ESTK / VS Code installed.

No 3rd party plug-in is used.

I have attached the files for you to check/test:
- batch processor 4.8 log

- ABC_banner.indd (last saved in older InDesign version - when runs with 'batch processor 5.0' and 'add metadata', it creates a new files with .indd.indd)
- ABC regulations.indd (last saved in latest InDesign 20.0.1 -  works fine with the script and no extra file being created)

Your advice and insights will be much appreciated! Thank you very much.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Supa_Pea

Would you like to try my ID-Tasker tool - for free of course?

To do everything in one go? Including processing subfolders. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Supa_Pea

Do you need to modify anything else in your INDD documents - when setting up Title and Author?

Because there should(*) be a way to do it WITHOUT opening files in InDesign. 

(*) from what I've found, it is possible - but I haven't tested it yet. 

[Supa_Pea]

@Robert at ID-Tasker Thanks, I'm open to try your ID-Tasker tool, I've had a look at your website to see how it works etc. However, my employer's IT security team is very strict and will not allow me to install an external exe file, as I need them to enter the admin password to install. 

For the documents, I don't need to change anything else apart from the metadata title and author. I tested @Kasyan Servetsky 's scripts y'day and it only works when the files are open and re-saved in current InDesign files first. The script is brillaint and it will a lot of time regardless. I just want to streamline the process as it's nearly there, and also using the script from start to finish will minimise (human) errors too. Do you have any suggestions?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Supa_Pea 

If you have a lot of other stuff to automate - maybe you could convince your "IT security team" to let you install my tool? It's digitally signed.

And your "IT security team" is there to protect you - not to tell you what you can't do to increase your productivity...

There is a thing called "dsofile.dll" - it is able to edit some of the Advanced file properties - mainly ones that are used in Microsoft Office files - but it should work with any file - WITHOUT the need to open the file in original application - so will be MUCH faster.

I was thinking about integrating it with my IDT - but it would be possible to create a standalone script - even one that could be run from within InDesign - and use its abilities.

I can try and create it for you - but there is still a case if your IT team will let you install this DLL file...

[Supa_Pea]

Thanks @Robert at ID-Tasker for your kind offer. Let's leave the ID-tasker for now, I'll surely let you know if I can install exe files. 

[Mike Witherell]

Injecting metadata into a folder of files is something Adobe Bridge does quite well. Tools > Create Metadata Template

[Supa_Pea]

Thank you. I have just tested this option, but I'm dealing 100+ InDesign document and each of their metadata filename id different so I'm not sure if this will work. Also I click on 'Append metadata' (wanting to test it on a batch of files), but the saved template is greyed out? What am I doing wrong?

[Mike Witherell]

In the same menu (Tools > Create Metadata Template), first you have to make a metadata template and name and save it. Then you can append it (Tools > Append Metadata) to many files at once.

https://helpx.adobe.com/bridge/using/metadata-adobe-bridge.html

[Supa_Pea]

It's greyed out. 😞

[Mike Witherell]

Do you have files selected in the Content window?

[Supa_Pea]

Ah yes, got it! Many thanks. 🙂

[Willi Adelberger]

Use Adobe Bridge, select several documents to add the same meta. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

List of all available Metadata Preferences - of the Document but Links have the same:

metadataPreferences

metadataPreferences_Author

metadataPreferences_CopyrightInfoURL

metadataPreferences_CopyrightNotice

metadataPreferences_CopyrightStatus

metadataPreferences_CreationDate

metadataPreferences_Creator

metadataPreferences_Description

metadataPreferences_DocumentTitle

metadataPreferences_Format

metadataPreferences_JobName

metadataPreferences_Keywords

metadataPreferences_ModificationDate

metadataPreferences_Parent

metadataPreferences_ServerURL