Is there a way to tell InDesign to open a template as "original" by default?

[TᴀW]

When you open a template file (.indt), you can choose to open it in "normal" mode, in which case you get an untitled doc based on that template, or as "original", which you'd choose if you want to edit the actual template.

As usually I'm editing the actual template files (for a particular workflow), I was just wondering whether there's any way to get InDesign to open template files as "original" by default?

Thanks!

[rob day · Accepted solution]

Hi Ariel, You can script an open with options. Maybe give this a key command?:

app.open(File.openDialog("Select a Template"), true, OpenOptions.OPEN_ORIGINAL)

[TᴀW]

Thanks Rob. That's what I was thinking, but I just wondered if there was something built-in that I'm overlooking.

[DTPtutorialyCZ-L.Zalesky]

windows only:
https://we.tl/t-DJb3L97y9K
in Windows Explorer or Total Commander select file and press F1
it will copy a filepath then activate Indesign, hit keys CTRL + O for open dialog, select original option, send filepath from clipboard and pres open button.
link contains compiled exe file you can jut run it. or source file in Autohotkey language with small comments.

AHK (v1) code here:

F1:: ;shortcut
Clipboard:= ;empty clip
send, ^c ; pres control + c - it will get filepath in windows
ClipWait,0.1
WinActivate ahk_class indesign  ; activate indesign
sleep, 300
send,  ^o ; pres CTRL + O to open file
WinWait, ahk_class #32770
WinWaitActive, ahk_class #32770
sleep,200
ControlClick,Button2,A,,L,2 ; select original option 3 is copy 1 os normal
sleep,200
ControlFocus,Edit1,A ; edit field for path
sleep,150
send , ^v ; send control + v (filepath from clipboard)
sleep,150
ControlClick,Button4,A,,L,2 ; click on open button

return

[Willi Adelberger]

You can open and save as tenplate again with the same name and overwrite the old template.

[TᴀW]

Hi Willi,

The thing is that there are dozens of templates, and since the file is called "untitled", it takes a while to find the right template to save to.

Also, I'm often working on updating multiple templates at once, so (a) it's helpful to see the filename of the template on the document tab in InDesign, and (b) it's too easy to overwrite the wrong template by mistake if I forget which one I was working on.

That's why I prefer to open them as "original"...

[Laubender]

@TᴀW said:

"… I was just wondering whether there's any way to get InDesign to open template files as "original" by default?"

Hi Ariel,

don't think this is possible out of the box.

Rob's code to open the file with app.open() seems to be the way to go.

Hm. Maybe you could use that with a startup script that listens to the File > Open dialog.

FWIW:

The other way would be to rename the template files from *.indt to *.indd, open, edit, close them and rename them back to *.indt.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[TᴀW]

We're making daily a lot of small corrections to multiple templates. It too fiddly to change the extension each time and then change it back. 

I think Rob's answer is probably the best then.

There is also the option, on Windows, of pressing Alt+G in the Open File dialog to set the radio button to "original" which is fairly convenient. Just have to remember to do it each time.

[Willi Adelberger]

What is so difficult, to open a template, an INDD files opens. Make changes and save as, change to template and save it with the old name on the same place and overwrite the old file? You need only to click on the old name, it gets the same name.

[TᴀW]

It's error-prone: Imagine dozens of templates with very similar names. Just searching through the list is tiring. Also, if there's been a break, it's easy to forget which template was opened (as it's called Untitled.indd)...

[DTPtutorialyCZ-L.Zalesky]

My script won't help you with anything?

[TᴀW]

It's a great solution, and thanks for posting! @rob day is perhaps simpler in the context of InDesign...