Linked .ai file, change artboard

[davidc76688920]

Does anyone know a different or faster way of changing an .ai linked files selected artboard, without having to select the link, relink, select file etc.

Is there a script that would allow me to change the linked artboard from within the links window? Thanks.

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi David,

there is a script snippet by John Hawkinson that works on the selected container frame of the placed graphic, will place the same graphic again showing the Import Options where you can choose a different artboard with AI files or a different page with placed PDF files ( basically that's the same ).

EDIT! The link to the thread is broken, because the linked thread was not moved from the old InDesign forum to the new one by the end of last year!

See ExtendScript ( JavaScript ) code here:

Re: Toggle pages of a linked Indesign document inside Indesign?

Here is my original code from 2016:

// PlaceAgain-PlaceOptionsShowing-SELECTION.jsx
// Uwe Laubender

//DESCRIPTION:Select a placed image, PDF or InDesign document to replace it with itself getting options

/**
* @@@BUILDINFO@@@ PlaceAgain-PlaceOptionsShowing-SELECTION.jsx !Version! Fri Sep 09 2016 14:09:53 GMT+0200
*/

/*
	Posted in this thread at Adobe InDesign Forum:
	"Toggle pages of a linked Indesign document inside Indesign?"
	mmackinven | Sep 9, 2016
	WARNING: LINK IS NOT VALID ANYMORE
	https://forums.adobe.com/message/8993859#8993859
	
	You can either select the placed file directly or its container frame.
	Or, if its part of a group, the group itself.
	Or, if the container frame is pasted inside another object, that object.
	
*/

placeAgainSelection();

function placeAgainSelection()
{
	if(app.documents.length == 0){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"No document is open."); return};
	if(app.selection.length != 1){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"Select one single item containing a placed file."); return};

	// The placed object is selected:
	if
	(
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "ImportedPage" || 
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "PDF" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "EPS" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "Image" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "PICT" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "WMF"
	)
	{	
		var graphic = app.selection[0];
	};
	
	else if(app.selection[0].allGraphics.length == 0){return};
	
	// The container of the placed object is selected:
	else{var graphic = app.selection[0].allGraphics[0]};

	// Two important checks:
	// Case 1: Graphic was pasted on the page from e.g. PhotoShop:
	if(graphic.itemLink == null){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"The graphic was pasted on the page. The original file cannot be found.");return};
	// Case 2: Link is not available, because placed graphic was renamed, removed or otherwise is not available:
	var file = File(graphic.itemLink.filePath);
	if(!file.exists){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"\""+file.name+"\""+"\r"+"File cannot be found."); return};
	
	// If you cancel the place options dialog, no error will be thrown:
	try{
	graphic.place(file,true);
	}catch(e){};
};

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Colin Flashman]

I like to use this script written by Roland Dreger: Indesign Script - Seiten-Eigenschaften platzierter PDF-, AI- und INDD-Dateien ändern

This is available as a startup script, so it makes it possible to right-click on a PDF/INDD/AI file and call up an option to edit it:

[Rhinobytes]

Nice! Just found this and it still works in CC 2025. Going to save me so much time. Thanks.

[davidc76688920]

These are both great, exactly what I was looking for,

Thanks,

[kdoersch]

Are these scripts still working? I'm a novice when it comes to scripts, but am trying to use the one from Roland Dreger but my indesign says the file is not executable. Or any other ways to do this?

[Laubender]

Hi @kdoersch ,

just try the code I posted above.

Just tested this OK with my German version of InDesign 2022 version 17.4.

How to save code to a *.jsx script file and how to install the file so that you can see the script in your Scripts panel of InDesign:

https://www.indiscripts.com/pages/help#hd0sb2

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )