Load Styles Window - making multiple selections easy

[RYR9]

Hello

In InDesign, the "Load Styles" window for object styles is very limited for easily making multiple selections. Due to my automation work, I have to manage a large number of object styles.

Do you know if there's already a script capable of exporting a series of object styles by specifying a subgroup to consider? The script will handle the content (subgroups and their object styles) and keep the same hierarchy.

STRUCTURE EXAMPLE (of course here it's simplified):

GROUP_PRINCIPAL
- SUBGROUP_ALPHA
-- SUBSUBGROUP_1
--- SUBSUBSUBGROUP_a
--- SUBSUBSUBGROUP_b
--- object_01
--- object_02
--- object_03
-- SUBSUBGROUP_2
--- object_01
-- SUBSUBGROUP_3
- SUBGROUP_BETA
-- SUBSUBGROUP_1
- SUBGROUP_DELTA
-- SUBSUBGROUP_1
--- object_01
--- object_02
--- object_03

Example of desired copy if i selected SUBSUBGROUP_1:
GROUP_PRINCIPAL
- SUBGROUP_ALPHA
-- SUBSUBGROUP_1
--- SUBSUBSUBGROUP_a
--- SUBSUBSUBGROUP_b
--- object_01
--- object_02
--- object_03

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I don't think you can export styles alone?

I think, the only way would be to copy objects styled with ObjectStyles you want to export, to another document - and then save this document?

[m1b · Accepted solution]

Hi @RYR9, I'm like you—I sometimes have loads of styles, logically structured and named. Copying them into other documents is labourious.

I've been thinking of writing this type of script for a while now and your post gave me a push. I've just finished it and uploaded it to my github repo.

I'd love for you to try it out and let me know what you think. Also post any bugs or issues you come across—it's brand new today so it will definitely have some!

- Mark

1. Choose the thing type: *Character Styles, Paragraph Styles, Object Styles, Cell Styles, TableStyles, Swatches*. 2. Filter the list of things. 3. The list of things to copy. 4. The list of destination documents (all open documents). 5. Press this to do the copying.

[RYR9]

Hi @m1b,

This is the good surprise of the beginning of the week. Thanks you !!!
I will take the time to test but it corresponds enough to what I wanted to make my work easier.
I've already done a little test but I'm going to take this new work week to test it.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@RYR9

You mention "Due to my automation work, I have to manage a large number of object styles." - do you need something with more options and more automated?

You can extrapolate what I've posted in this post to your needs: 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/dynamic-par-styles/m-p/15315468#M624236

[RYR9]

Thanks you for your idea. I can't go into detail about what exactly I automate, but it goes much further and involves production constraints.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Thanks you for your idea. I can't go into detail about what exactly I automate, but it goes much further and involves production constraints.

By @RYR9

What "production constraints"?

[RYR9]

@m1b 
I tested it during the day or this evening. This is already a great help in saving time on multiple items.
It works pretty well. I sometimes get this message. There is also one when no document is open.

Do you think that in addition to choosing open documents, it is possible to choose specific closed files? (indt template files) ?

[m1b]

Hi @RYR9 that is a good idea about the closed template files. I will have a think about how to incorporate that when I get time. I'll have a look at the errors. The "no document open" is easy, but I'm not sure under what circumstances the other error occurs. Next time you get that error, could you send me the document that shows the error? (You can probably remove all the pages for privacy).

- Mark