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craftycurate
Inspiring
June 3, 2020
Answered

Why Can't I Update Table of Contents (Indesign CC) (Update TOC Greyed Out)

  • June 3, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 12371 views

Hi

Firstly, when I create a TOC, I cannot insert it into my Primary Text Frame (PTF), as ID always places it in a new frame. 

When I copy and paste the TOC from this new frame into my PTF, I can no longer update it, which is useless as the page numbers are now incorrect.

So ...

1. Can I force Indesign to paste the TOC at the insertion point in my PTF, rather than place it in a new text frame?

2. If not, and I have to copy and paste it into the PTF, how can I update it afterwards?

 

Thanks for your help!

Richarc

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Randy Hagan

In simple terms:

 

1) No.

2) Only by repeating your cut-and-paste.

 

Please let me explain ... cutting and pasting the ToC obliterates the data link once you remove it from the created text frame and you insert it into your primary text frame. It looks the same, but at that point it's just plain 'ol text. After that move, your only option is to update it as you're doing it now: Place the ToC on the pasteboard, then cut/copy-and-paste to replace the existing ToC text in the primary frame.

 

You can always selectively remove a Primary Text Frame by Control/Command+Shift+clicking on it, then pressing the Delete key. It won't affect the primary frames anywhere else in your document — heck, it won't even delete any text on that page, which should automatically flow to the next one — but it will allow you to place your ToC independently of the primary frame, and also allow you to update it as you expect it to work.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Randy

2 replies

Ritaw
Ritaw
Participant
August 21, 2020

Hi Randy,

      I have a ghost TOC that seems to be the result of some blunder as I was trying to learn how to make a TOC. I have deleted all my paragraph styles including TOC several times. Saved and shut everything down, re-opened, and when I go to Type and then the Table of Contents up pops the menu, with no paragraph styles on it, and then when I hit "Okay"...let's see, what's the opposite of voilà...UP POPS The Ghost of errors past. I can't get rid of it for the life of me, so please, can you figure this out for me? Much appreciated! Rita 

Randy Hagan
Community Expert
Randy HaganCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 21, 2020

I have some questions which will help me help you:

 

  1. Do you have multiple InDesign document (.indd) files strung together to compose your book using InDesign's Book panel (.indb) functions? Or is your book solely made from one big .indd file?
  2. Do you only have one (bad) ToC? Or is this somehow an additional text generated instead of/in addition to your (good) ToC?
  3. Is your book project done? Or is this a dynamic, constantly updated document which requires updating the ToC to match thee current version of the document?
  4. Is your ToC "live" — e.g. generated from the data-driven text created when you have InDesign build your ToC? Or is it static. like when you were using the cut-and-paste method we were talking about during our previous discussion?

 

Answers to the first and fourth pairs of questions will offer insight into how best to fix the situation. And, to be honest, answers to the second and third sets will guide us toward how much we need to care about the anomalies you're finding in your book file.

 

I'm happy to help any way I can. Let me know the answers to these questions and I'll do my best to get you where you want to be.

 

Hope that (other than this) life's treating you well,

 

Randy

Randy Hagan
Community Expert
Randy HaganCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 31, 2020

Thanks, Randy, we're grateful and will answer the best I can. 

1. One big .indd file, though I've used the Book panel in the past in my amateur way.

2. A second attempt and a 3rd all ran into the same problem: a ghost blunder made early on.

3. The book is done except for TOC and isbn etc. page

4. It's 'live' to the best of my knowledge.

Thanks so much...! Be well!

Elwin...(I take orders from Rita, who is my wife : )


So, Elwin, I've gotta ask: did my previous answer cover the issues you needed to address?

 

If so, please just let me (and the moderators) know. If not, please let me know that too and I'll do my best to get you a more relevant response.

 

Hope the week treats you well,

 

Randy

Randy Hagan
Community Expert
Randy HaganCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 3, 2020

In simple terms:

 

1) No.

2) Only by repeating your cut-and-paste.

 

Please let me explain ... cutting and pasting the ToC obliterates the data link once you remove it from the created text frame and you insert it into your primary text frame. It looks the same, but at that point it's just plain 'ol text. After that move, your only option is to update it as you're doing it now: Place the ToC on the pasteboard, then cut/copy-and-paste to replace the existing ToC text in the primary frame.

 

You can always selectively remove a Primary Text Frame by Control/Command+Shift+clicking on it, then pressing the Delete key. It won't affect the primary frames anywhere else in your document — heck, it won't even delete any text on that page, which should automatically flow to the next one — but it will allow you to place your ToC independently of the primary frame, and also allow you to update it as you expect it to work.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Randy

    C
    craftycurateAuthor
    Inspiring
    June 11, 2020

    Hi Randy

     

    Thanks for your reply and apologies for my delayed acknowedgement. For some reason the notification email was flagged as spam and I only picked it up during a routine spam folder check.

     

    In the meantime I discovered the method you outline, of removing the PTF on those pages and using the TOC created frames instead, so somehow I managed to stumble across the solution.

     

    Thanks!

    Richard

    Randy Hagan
    Community Expert
    Randy HaganCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 11, 2020

    That's OK. It certainly isn't the first time the system has looked at my answer and considered it trash!

     

    Glad things worked out for you. If you get stuck with InDesign in the future, don't hesitate to come back. There are lots of smart folks around here who can help.

     

    Randy

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