max number of file in a indesign book

[massimo_5876]

what's the maximum number of files that I can open at the same time from an indesign book?

If I have hundreds of files opened and If I try to open more files from the book, Indesign stops opening files and crashes if I try to update the index

can I change maximum number of file that can be opened at the same time?

thanks in advance

[Peter Kahrel]

About 120 files. The limit varies a bit depending on ID and OS version.

> can I change maximum number of file that can be opened at the same time?

Unfortunately not. It's a limit baked into InDesign. Adobe never changed it despite numerous requests.

[massimo_5876]

bad news I have to split the chapter in 3 part

and this change affect all manuals of use and maintenanace of all the machine (50 manuals)

also in case of manual with only couple of pages

a lot of work for a limit of the program

mybe indesign is not the right program for thecnical documentation

thanks anyway

[Peter Kahrel]

Some people would say that for technical documentation FrameMaker would be more appropriate.

I would still prefer InDesign because of its better typographical tools. And it's very well scriptable so that you can almost always script yourself out of trouble. For example, the problem you have with your index can be worked around. If you're interested drop me a line.

[Mike Witherell]

BTW, how much RAM are you running. Many files = tons of RAM. Minimum RAM is 16gb these days. You might well need much more.

[massimo_5876]

yes I have 16 GB installed 

I will ask IT to add some RAM to my laptop, but I don't know if this can fix the problem

the issue look like more a limit of the software

right now I will try to split the chapter keeping a similar structure,
so not to change manuals that don't have to...

thanks a lot

[Peter Kahrel]

> but I don't know if this can fix the problem

> the issue look like more a limit of the software

Correct: it's not going to make any difference.

It's an InDesign 'feature'.

But splitting chapters will make it only worse as far as I can see. Joining chapters would make more sense.

[massimo_5876]

how can I work around the problem of the index?

I have not idea how to make the index of a differet books

any suggestion will be grateful appreciate

thanks again

[Randy Hagan]

Making a single index/ToC will either require manual reconciling of the multiple book indexes or perhaps custom scripting that some of the advanced scripting mavens around here might be able to provide. Hopefully some of the scripting pros will see this post and offer options for you.

Randy

[Peter Kahrel]

The TOC isn't the problem. InDesign polls he book: it opens each document in turn, collects the data, and closes the document. That way there's always just one document open (assuming you started with no opendocuments). Unfortunately for the index it wants all documents open.

A script can be done that creates the index the polling the book: open a document, get index info, close the document. Then with all data collected, create the index.

@massimo_5876: Such a script is always a customisation of an existing script, a general script is hardly possible. If you're interested write to me at pkahrel@gmail.com

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@massimo_5876

How "complicated" is your index? 

[Peter Kahrel]

Fairly.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Fairly.

By @Peter Kahrel

Have you already seen an example file?

[massimo_5876]

300 pages the chapter

4 pages of index

At the end I am able to create the right pdf with the right index

normally I create pdf keeping all files open for cross references between files, preliminary check, index update ect

if files are open the process speed up, if it 's not possible keep all file open I will sleep a little bit more waiting the end of the process  

thank to all of you for the help

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@massimo_5876 

As @Peter Kahrel said - Index is just a static Story with references - it can be easily extracted from all the documents and combined in the final document.

You can either contact @Peter Kahrel for a custom solution - or my ID-Tasker would be a more universl solution, with a few extra options.

[Randy Hagan]

Traditionally, Adobe Systems has reported that the maximum number of publications that could be opened was "memory-dependent" i.e. more RAM, more storage swapfile space equals more files that can be opened.

By personal experience, I can testify that InDesign doesn't so much crash when too many files are open as it does just fall apart. Advanced functions start acting inconsistently, then basic functions start going wonky until you finally get to the point you can't do anything anymore. The analogy I use when teaching is it's like those old Buster Keaton movies where the car he's driving steadily loses parts until he's left sitting in the street holding a steering wheel.

And also by previous experience, I can testify that 1) adding RAM for more processing memory, then to a lesser degree 2) clearing free space on the primary storage drive can increase the number of files you can keep open.

I've done directory work that has choked/slowed down the given computer I was working on, but I've never bounced off an absolute limit for the number of files I could have open. Folks here aren't lying to you: more RAM will always help.

I also hope this helps,

Randy

[Mike Witherell]

If I have hundreds of files opened...

If you really are opening "hundreds of files" you will need 64gb or RAM, in my opinion.