Is it possible to to link to a map on the same page and have it auto update?

[Jambo_88]

I have a map that gets updated by location. I've been asked to make the locations alpahbetic and whenever a new place gets added it messes up the structure.

Is it possible to link these locations below to the numberical points on the map, so that it will keep the format structured after editing? It would save me a lot time in future  🙏

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

You have to do it as two separate Stories: 

1) that will hold numbers on your map - linked TextFrames, 

2) list with places - left on your screenshot. 

When you need to add a new "item" in between existing numbers - you'll have to click out port of the TextFrame with "previous" number and create a new TextFrame - InDesign will keep threading intact.

Then, do "the same" on the left list - and a new entry in the correct place. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Of course both Stories need to have Bullets & Numbering turned ON. 

[Jambo_88]

Hi Robert, apologies for the long delay.

I attempted a few times in between work to try what you suggested but I seem to be guessing wrong linking the TextFrames. I presumed seperating the titles for each location would be the way forward and linking to the corresponding numbers.

How would I go about this? I tried right clicking Text Frame Options and also creating Paragraph Styles to change the bullets to ON but again unsure what I'm doing. I've included the screenshots below along with the InD file.

 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88

I'm responding from my phone so can't check your file right now. 

You need two separate Stories: 

1) for numbers on the map, 

2) for the "legend". 

Numbers on the map - linked / threaded TextFrames. 

Legend - a single TF with multiple text columns or a few separate TFs linked together.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88 

I've made circles bigger - for better visualisation.

And I've attached your file - with my changes - now you just need to delete all your circles 😉 - or rather move them to a new layer, lock this layer, then create new circles and thread them together as per my first three - add extra empty paragraphs to get numbers. 

My circle is just a TextFrame with a fill and stroke - you can't have groups.

I've changed the color of the "2" - from dark blue - but you can create another ObjectStyle - for dark blue circles - and apply it to selected TextFrames - this won't affect numbering.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88 

Then, when you need to add a new circle - inbetween existing order - you just need to:

1) duplicate an EMPTY TextFrame with your ObjectStyle applied:

2) click on the OUTPORT of the TextFrame:

3) link to the new, EMPTY, TextFrame - cursor should be loaded and change to the chain symbol:

DONE:

Now, you just need to add new 3rd option on your list:

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88

And, as long as it's a "standalone" TextFrame placed on the page - can't be grouped or Anchored / InLined - it can have ANY shape - triangle, rectangle, star, etc. - and can have ANY ObjectStyle applied - with a different fill, stroke, shadow, etc.

[Jambo_88]

Thank you very much for your quick responses Robert, I was finally able to see the connections in View > Ext > Show Text Thread. Although I'm still finding it hard to wrap my head around how to connect these to the location names on the left, which I'm unsure if you're referring to this a "legend" as it's a single text frame?

It would be really helpful if you're able to upload a short screen recording video of the process? No worries if not as I appretiate what you've shared so far. Thanks  

[Jambo_88]

Ignore that comment for now Robert, I hadn't seen your latest post.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88

Those are two separate threads - that you need to keep "synchronised" manually.

[Jambo_88]

Thanks Robert, apologies if I have become an annoyance but if you had time (as a last resort for me) to share a quick screen recording of the process of how it's done that would really help. I think I get how to connect the number roundels which have been converted to TextFrames but then my small brain is not understanding how to connected it to each location name as the final link?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88

No need to apologise for anything 🙂

Unfortunately, I don't have access to my laptop right now - I can record something later today. 

But again - you need to treat both stories - Legend and TFs on the map - as two DIFFERENT - Stories. 

In no way linked "directly". 

The only common thing is the order of the numbers - numbers automatically generated by InDesign. 

Order of the TFs on the map - their linking / threading order - MUST be the same as order of the paragraphs in the Legend.

Then, in the Legend - to each automatically generated number - you are adding names of the Cities. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88

There is a way to do it as a kind of one Story, that you could just copy&paste - either from Legend to the map or vice versa - but it would be way more "convoluted"...

[Jambo_88]

That makes sense! Thanks for clarifying 🙂 I'll give it a shot when work is quiet again and let you know.

Thanks again 👍

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jambo_88

You're welcome 🙂 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Jambo_88

No need to apologise for anything 🙂

Just in case - I wasn't trying to make fun of you in any way. You're in no way annoyance to me.

You can always ask your questions here and then ask for clarification - in my case, Engligh isn't my first language and sometimes I make some "shortucts" explaining things - so I'm more than happy to provide more detailed explanation if needed.

[Jambo_88]

Your English is great 👌 and efforts to helping.

If you're still happy to share a quick video tutorial that would be very helpful also but no worries if not. Cheers

[m1b]

Hi @Jambo_88 can you share a sample document? Showing before and after what it should look like? Are the map locations text frames in Indesign?

- Mark