Skip to main content
Macky66
Macky66
Participating Frequently
May 21, 2020
Question

Export book to pdf

  • May 21, 2020
  • 6 replies
  • 1838 views

I am working in InDesign CC 2020 on a Windows 10 PC

 

I have created a 'book' using separate InDesign documents. Each document is set as spreads and have an even number of pages - first page always on the right and last page always on the left. For each document the numbering is set to auo in book panel options, and the numbering in the book tab is correct. Very simple. 

I want to export the book as a pdf and as spreads. When I exports (with spreads selected), the pages are spreads except the last page of each document is by itself, and the first page of the following document is by itself. I want these two pages together as in a spread to match the others.

 

Can anyone tell me how this can be done. Thanks

This topic has been closed for replies.

6 replies

ZilioAna
ZilioAna
Participant
October 8, 2021

I have the same problem!

Have u managed to find a solution?

Gusgsm
Gusgsm
Inspiring
October 8, 2021

Hi,

 

More or less in the line that Uwe pointed:

 

1. Assemble the book with all the items.

2. Export that book to a PDF as ONE file but with single pages (not spreads).

3. Make a new document in InDesign, 1 empty page. Settings: "facing pages", "page size": same size the original pages of your book.

4. Place the PDF in that empty document with a script called "PlaceMultipagePDF" (it comes as a sample with your InDesign. Just go to "Window - Utilities - Scripts" Menu, "Samples - JavaScript" and click it. Choose the document you are in (the new one). The script will create as many pages as needed.

5. Export the resulting InDesign as a new PDF but with "spreads".

 

There you are. This is called "refrying a PDF", by the way.

 

Hope it helps

    ZilioAna
    ZilioAna
    Participant
    October 10, 2021

    Thank you so much!

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 22, 2020

    Hi Macky66,

    there is no way I know of to achieve this with InDesign's book file feature automatically.

     

    There are only workarounds like:

     

    For viewing single pages next to each other as spreads:

    Export all the documents separately to PDF, combine all PDFs in Acrobat Pro.

    Set the view of the combined PDF to: Two-Up Cover Page with Acrobat Pro.

     

    Or, if you want to have one PDF page for all pages per spread:

    From the InDesign book file: Export to spread.

     

    To fix the problematic spreads: Place the pages to a new InDesign document next to each other and export them again.

    Remove the single pages from the PDF you exported from the book file, move in the ones you did from InDesign pages.

     

    Regards,
    Uwe Laubender

    ( ACP )

      Macky66
      Macky66Author
      Participating Frequently
      May 24, 2020

      Thanks Uwe, that is exactly what I ending up doing. Unfortunately there are 15 sections to do this to.

      Derek Cross
      Community Expert
      Derek CrossCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 22, 2020

      The InDesign Book facility is for assembling several InDesign documents, useful for longer books.

      Regarding your PDF book, I suggest you keep to single pages, but lay it out in Landscape format so you can feature your "spreads". Easy for the reader to view and navigate.

      I attach a mock up of what I have in mind.

       

       

        Macky66
        Macky66Author
        Participating Frequently
        May 24, 2020

        Hi Derek, very good idea.

        Derek Cross
        Community Expert
        Derek CrossCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        May 21, 2020

        I think if you're going to produce a book in PDF format, in my opinion, it should be exported as single pages -- not facing pages. This will make the document much easier to read on devices such as tablets and smart phones.

        Macky66
        Macky66Author
        Participating Frequently
        May 22, 2020

        Hi Derek, I agree, single pages would be good, however I need spreads as each section has to start on a right hand page, because the next two pages has to be a spread to fit the graphic. Any more thoughts on how to do this? I would have thought this was the idea of a 'book' pdf.

        Brito Haroldo
        Brito Haroldo
        Inspiring
        May 21, 2020

        Hello Macky66, I getting this same situation. The unique resoltuion for me is create first document with odd number of pages, middle with even and last document with odd novamente. Type: 3, 10, 20, 7.

        In some cases I had to migrate the first page of one to the last page of the previous one because of the flow of the text.. =/

        I dont think this is correct but helped me solve urgent services. 😃

         
        Macky66
        Macky66Author
        Participating Frequently
        May 22, 2020

        Hi Brito, in order to get around this issue, I took off 'facing pages' on all my documents and unticked 'allow selected spreads to shuffle'. The I moved the pages together to make spreads in the 'page' palette.

        I am still frustrated by this issue as I thought that would be one critical reason for having the 'book' function.

          Derek Cross
          Community Expert
          Derek CrossCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          May 21, 2020

          Is the output for printing or for digital output (reading the book as a PDF on a screen)?

          Brito Haroldo
          Brito Haroldo
          Inspiring
          May 21, 2020

          Hello Derek, do you can explain for we the two situation? I asked because today is very common one documento with two or more publications and love how knologement you create solutions 😃

           
          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices