Can't rename object states

[mewgrasshopper]

Hi, just checking to see if anyone else is having issues renaming object states since updating to Indesign 2021/Big Sur. When I click on a name there's a brief flash of an editable name then it goes back to normal uneditable state. I tried renaming in the Layers palette and that seemed to work initially but then started the same behavior. I tried trashing prefs files and I will reinstall InDesign.

[Michael Bullo]

In case you didn't know the Creative Cloud app allows for multiple versions of InDesign to be simultaneously installed. Might help you isolate where the problem lies.

[Melanie Di]

Hi, it's definitely something to do with Big Sur. I reinstalled InDesign, tried different (older) InDesign versions - still the same problem. It's driving me crazy.

[Laubender]

Hi together,

does it help if you move the Layers panel out of other panels so that it is on its own and is floating?

There were some reports on this issue on Mac OS 11, I think. Just search the InDesign forum.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Mick M]

Hi,

I am having the same issue. I am not able to rename the object states. I have tried floating the layer panels and the object state panels. If I float either or both this still doesn't resolve the issue. I am using a MacBook Pro and running Big Sur.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi Mick,

are you able to select a state inside an MSO or can you select the MSO itself?

If so you could rename tha active state with the following ExtendScript (JavaScript) code:

( function()
{
	// No document open? Do nothing:
	if( app.documents.length == 0 ){ return };
	// Nothing or more than one thing selected? Do nothing:
	if( app.selection.length != 1 ){ return };
	
	var MSO;
	var sel = app.selection[0];
	
	// Identify the MSO in the selection:
	if( sel.constructor.name == "MultiStateObject" ){ MSO = sel };
	if( sel.parent.constructor.name == "MultiStateObject" ){ MSO = sel.parent };
	
	// MSO not recognized? Throw an error alert:
	// MSO not recognized? Throw an error alert:
	if( MSO == undefined )
	{ 
		alert
		(
			"To make this work best select the MultiState Object. You selected: "+
			"\r\r"+sel.constructor.name
		); 
		return 
	};
	
	// Identify the active state:
	var activeState = MSO.states[ MSO.activeStateIndex ];
	
	// Interface for a new name of the active state:
	var result = prompt( "", activeState.name , "Rename the active State to:" );
	
	// User canceled interface or set an empty string as new name? Do nothing:
	if( result == undefined || result == "" ){ return };
	
	// Finally rename the active state:
	activeState.name = result ;
	
	// OPTIONAL ALERT:
	alert( "Done. The active state was renamed." );

}() )

How to save ExtendScript code to a script file, install and execute that script file from InDesign's Scripts Panel see:

https://www.indiscripts.com/pages/help#hd0sb2

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[ernie@neotech]

The problem is, not all of us are fluent in code speak. I wouldn't even know how to access the code. More importantly, I don't want to. The whole point of working in InDesign is to avoid working with code. 

What's the timeline on when Adobe will have this resolved? 

[BobLevine]

Have you reported it as a bug?

[Laubender]

Note: Edited my code above for more readability and added the handling of one case where the user tries to give an empty string as new name for the active object state.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Maurice1587]

Thanks Uwe, this works great as a workaround. Do you have any idea why this is necessary though?

Thanks

Maurice

[Laubender]

Hi Maurice,

seems to be a bug with the OS X or OS 11 version of InDesign 2021.

As far as I tested I'm not affected, I'm on Windows 10.

Best look for a bug report ( or write a new one ) at InDesign UserVoice:

https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[franz_ted]

I came here with this same issue. I was scanning the forums and saw something in passing about the panel being docked.

I undocked the panel and left it floating and now I can rename items just fine.

So it appears to be a problem while the panel is docked.

PS, I'm on a Mac with Big Sur.

[Laubender]

Ernie said:

"The problem is, not all of us are fluent in code speak.
I wouldn't even know how to access the code. …"

Understood. That's why I posted the link just below the code for how to save ExtendScript code to a script file, install and execute that script file from InDesign's Scripts Panel. And yes, this is only a workaround for a problem that should get fixed. And again:

Best look for a bug report ( or write a new one ) at InDesign UserVoice:

https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs

Thanks,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )