Text Variable(File Name) not getting original file name when opening document as copy

[Chetan S]

Hello All,

I have a InDesign file which has text variable (File Name) inserted in text frame. I open indesign file as a copy of original file like below.

ErrorCode cmdErrCode = Utils<IDocumentCommands>()->Open(&tempCopyInDesignFileRef, inDesignIDFile, K2::kSuppressUI, IOpenFileCmdData::kOpenCopy, IOpenFileCmdData::kNotUseLockFile, kFalse);

Issue is when I try to get text from text frame where text variable(File Name) is set. It gives me text like “Untitled-XX” instead of original file name. 

Is there way I can get original file name? Please suggest.

Thank You

Chetan S

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Text variable "File Name" is linked - and automatically updated - to the CURRENT document - how can you expect it to be linked with the old file?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I know even less about plugins than about JS - but isn't: 

&tempCopyInDesignFileRef

a reference to your original file?

Can't you get the name from it?

[Chetan S]

2nd parameter is original IDFile

I am opening InDesing document and parsing its object to process. there is text frame which contains Text variable "File Name", so for that text frame I should get name of original file but I am getting “Untitled-1”.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

No, you are working on a completely NEW document - that is just a copy of the original file - all variables that are defined in the document - are pointing to the document they are in - not some old document. 

It's like you would expect that after creating new, blank document and doing drag&drop from another document - that values of the VARIABLES will still point to the other document.

Those are text VARIABLES - not constants, they change and show current information. 

If you add variable that shows current page - and you move it to a different page - which page number would you expect to see? 

[Chetan S]

Yes correct, is there way I can identify where Text variable ("File Name") is applied?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

What do you mean "where"? 

Locations in the text? 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/script-to-find-variable-text-and-convert-to-text...

But I have no idea how to do it in plugin.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

If you want to retain name of the original / source document - you need to define this variable differently - as a "static" text - not as a variable linked to the name of the file.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Chetan S

Correct me if I'm wrong - you are good with C/C++ and someone asked you to write a plugin - but you don't use InDesign daily?

[Chetan S]

yes I have written plugin in in C/C++,  I am duplicating(creating copy) InDesign file and cant use original file as I am modifying it. 

[Alo Lohrii · Accepted solution]

Because you opened a copy of the document(IOpenFileCmdData::kOpenCopy) and not the original(IOpenFileCmdData::kOpenOriginal), opened document is only in memory and not saved yet, hence its returning  default document name(Untitled-x) instead of the original document name, which is the expected behaviour. If you need to retrieve the original document name, change the open flags to IOpenFileCmdData::kOpenOriginal