Locking Layers with Password

[Nissan123]

Dear all,

Trying to find a solution for locking layers in Adobe InDesign without option to un-lock (just with password), currently I understand there is no option just lock/unlock option.

Could you reccomend for somebody who alreasy expirience with Adobe SDK programming?

Thank you

Nissan

[Title renamed by moderator. Was “Re: Chat Support!”

[jane-e]

Hi

No, you can’t lock layers with a password in InDesign. I moved your post from a very old, very long thread in “Get Started” to the InDesign forum.

You can put in a feature request here: https://indesign.uservoice.com. I’ve heard others ask for this over the years. In the meantime, do you know about InCopy and are you using it in your office?

~ Jane

[Nissan123]

Thank you!

Could you reccomend for Java script programmer to develop locking layer with password?

[jane-e]

No, but I added tags to your post so if it can be scripted, the scripters will find it.

~ Jane

[Jongware]

With JavaScript that's not possible. It indeed needs an SDK solution.

[brian_p_dts]

Maybe it could be done using a log file, prompt, and onClick prompts on the layers, though I don't think you can get an event to trigger by clicking the lock? In either case, it wouldn't be all that secure, since someone could just access the log file to find the password. I would just tell folks not to unlock layers unless they have a darn good reason to,

[Colin Flashman]

I agree that it couldn't be done on a document by document basis, but what about a startup script that used an event listener to listen for a particular layername being toggled, and then call a prompt? Granted, it would only lock the layer on the machine that had the startup script, so if the file was opened on another machine it wouldn't work.

[Eugene Tyson]

Nope can't be done.

You can file a feature request here - https://indesign.uservoice.com/

But what happens in 3 or 4 years when you need the file again and forgot the password?

I'd just lock the layers and tell the people working on it not to unlock the layers or make any edits to locked layers.

The other way you could do it only gives the content that you want them to edit using something like LayoutZones 

https://www.automatication.com/index.php?id=13

Not sure if it works with current InDesign versions.

[Nissan123]

Thank you!

I'll try the Layoutzone.

Could you reccomend for Java script programmer (3 party) to develop locking layer with password?

[cbishop01]

What if you lock the layer and turn on Track Changes? Then you'll see if anyone changes anything on the locked layer.

[Laubender]

Hi Nissan,

I'd ask the maker of this InDesign plug-in:

Protect INDD
DWKJ Eric

This plug-in protects InDesign documents with passwords.

https://exchange.adobe.com/creativecloud.details.3176.html

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Dave OB]

If you are trying to stop people messing up a design, make a pdf of the non edit areas and place that in the doc.

[BobLevine]

I have a better idea. Hire competent people that can follow directions!