Linking icml in InDesign

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 3, 2019
2 replies
3099 views

I'm very new to this, can someone please help!

I have created templated files for work, that different staff members are to copy and then paste to create new orders using the template.

The problem I'm having is that when the copied files are revised it's also changing the original template, so seems the icml links are linking to the original template and not the copied folder...how do I fix this?

This topic has been closed for replies.

hammer0909

Community Expert

Think of .icml files the way you think about graphics. If you place a graphic in several documents, then update the graphic, it will update in all of the documents in which the graphic is placed. Same goes for InCopy stories (.icml files). If you don't want the content to be modified when one person makes a change, then you'll need to create copies of those stories. From your post it sounds like you don't want that content to update in all instances. Maybe this file originated within an InCopy workflow and now you don't want that behavior? If you open the Links panel and select all of the .icml files, you can choose "unlink" from the Links panel menu. Now those stories will simply be static text within the InDesign document and won't update anywhere else.

T

tracyr39736361Author

Participant

We want the icmls linked within the copied folder as there are 10-15 various files within the copied folder that all require the same "name" and "date".

If we unlink the icmls here, then we will have to input the information for each of the 10-15 files.

We just want the links to link to the copied folder and not the template folder....does that make sense?

BobLevine

Community Expert

That’s not how it works. As Chad already explained, when you update an ICML file it updates everywhere that file is used.

I think you need to back up and tell us exactly what you’re looking to do and perhaps provide some screenshots. We might be able to come up with a Plan B for you.

K

karenCWD

Participant

Hi - not sure this will help but you would need to unlink the icmls in the template so that any changes made to the 'copies' don't modify the original source icml but wouldn't you want the icml to be consistent wherever it appears? That's the beauty of using InCopy - keeping copy blocks constantly updated across uses.

T

tracyr39736361Author

Participant

We have 10-15 files within a folder that need the name and dates changed on...those are the icml links.
So we create templates and then copy and paste the template folder for each new client.

We need the original template to remain "insert name" "insert date" but each new copied file to have the person's actual name and the actual date. What's happening is when we edit the copied file, it's also editing the template file.

But we don't want to unlink the copied file because then we would have to input the name and date on each of the 10-15 files

within the copied folder.

K

karenCWD

Participant

the template file shouldn't change unless you choose to update the modified content of those linked icmls. Just leave them in a 'modified' state and you should be fine but it also seems like you need ot have a template specific to each client rather than keep using the same template for all clients. sorry I can't be more helpful, not really sure what you are using the icml for in this case. good luck!

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