Loading and Assigning Paragraph Styles from one Document to Another Document

A perhaps faster option would be to create a Book file, then add one new doc for reference and the old files that need changing. You should be able to synch the styles all at once.

Hi Michelle:

Let's get you back on track.

I load the parent document pargraph and character styles into the other documents and update them this way. For character styles I can choose 'Use Incoming Definition' under the 'Conflict with Existing Style' column and it automatically updates the styles in the document I am working in. But I can't do this for Paragraph Styles. At times I can even get all Paragraph Styles set to 'Use Incoming Defition' but inDesign still leaves the original styles unupdated.

I set up a simple, sample file and it is working for me as expected. I wonder if you are dealing with overrides? Do you work with othe Style Highlighter enabled? Or do you need to rebuild preferences to straighten out erratic behavior? Or am I misunderstanding the question? 

~Barb

Is there a reason that you are not starting work on a template with styles already intact?

Are you familiar with loading styles using the Paragraph Style panel menu button and choosing Load All Text Styles (or Load Paragraph Styles; either one) and bringing them in that way?

Or are you placing a Word document with styles?