Strange bookmark nesting behavior

Question

I am trying to solve some undesirable bookmark nesting where bookmarks are being auto-generated through the Table of Contents dialog.

I have a book with a lengthy TOC that uses a 3-level hierarchical structure:

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

I'm using hidden text layer styles for this purpose and have mapped the styles to the appropriate TOC levels correctly as far as I can tell.

The issue I'm running into happens in two outlier cases in the TOC where it needs to go from Level 1 directly to Level 3:

Level 1

Level 3

Level 3 entries are farily numerous, and in these outlier cases, InDesign is nesting all but the first Level 3 entries into the first one.

I've attached screenshots of the TOC dialog with the various levels selected as well as a picture of the TOC spread with the bookmarks panel showing.

The Level 1 entries "PRACTICE PADS" and "ACCESSORIES" are the headings under which these outlier cases are occurring. They are displaying exactly how I want them to display in the TOC, yet the bookmarks are confused into showing Level 3 entries all nested into the very first one ("Tips for the player").

I've ensured that my hidden text styles that are mapped to these entries have been cleared of any overrides.

I may be missing something obvious here, so I appreciate any suggestions … thanks!

Barb Binder · Accepted Answer

Well, let's think about how this would work in directly in Acrobat without InDesign's involvement... you can drag a bookmark up or down in the Bookmarks pane, as well as left and right to nest/unnest. But there is no way to drag a level 2 bookmark to a level 3 position unless there is a level 2 bookmark above it.

In my demo below, Getting started is level 1, and What is FrameMaker is a level 2. I can drag What is FrameMaker to a level 1 or back to a level 2, but there is no way to drag it to a level 3.

InDesign is just automating this manual process. I realize this is disappointing for you, but I'm actually impressed with InDesign's ability to adapt to the unusual/unsupported request and not just crash.

I would create a new paragraph style for the items under "PRACTICE PADS" and "ACCESSORIES" and designate those as Level: 2. This will fix the bookmarks pane, and you can map them to Entry Style: TOC - Level 3 and not mess up the actual TOC.

~Barb

Barb Binder · Answer

We are always happy to help, Murray. Come back to see us the next time you get stuck! ~Barb

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