Linked ai files in Indesign

[Leah Ward]

Does anyone know a way of changing an .ai link in Indesign, without having to select the link, relink, select file etc.

[Omar.Fathy]

Edit the original file in Illustrator ?! 

[Leah Ward]

Thanks, but I actually want to update the link artboard in Indesign. So I've placed a file in Indesign with say ai Artboard 1, but then I want to change the artboard to Artboard 2. So is there a way to change the artboard, without having to select the link, relink and then select the ai file again with Options to select the new artboard. Hope that makes sense.

[Omar.Fathy]

I think you have more links and you don't like to edit all of it.
Would you tell me more about what do you want to do exactly and I can help you.

[Leah Ward]

So I have an ai file with multiple artboards. I link the file into Indesign choosing artboard 1 from the ai file. Later down the track, I end up having to change the link in Indesign so that it shows artboard 2 from the ai file. 

So at the moment, I select the link in Indesign, go Ctrl-D, select the ai file again, make sure the options are ticked to select which artboard I want, and then click through and select the new ai artboard that I want to show in Indesign.

Is there a way in Indesign to click on the link and change the artboard that is shown, without having to go through the steps of relinking??

[BobLevine]

Relink it from the links panel and show options. Choose the other artboard.

[Leah Ward]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I've been doing it the right way. I really appreciate everyone's input and help. Oh so much to learn !!! L.

[S_Gans]

Moderator moving to InDesign forum, as this is more of an InDesign question, than an Illustrator issue.

[Ton Frederiks]

I don't think it is possible in the way you describe it, switching artboards in InDesign.

If you would have set up the Illustator file with layers on a single artboard. you can turn on and off the visibility of the layers after placing in InDesign: Object > Object Layer Options...

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi Leah,

a script could help that would relink with options showing. The original idea is from John Hawkinson. Unfortunately I cannot find the related old thread in the new forum.

But below is my code in ExtendScript (JavaScript) that is working on a selected graphic frame or the selected placed graphic or image itself:

// PlaceAgain-PlaceOptionsShowing-SELECTION.jsx
// Uwe Laubender

//DESCRIPTION:Select a placed image, PDF or InDesign document to replace it with itself getting options

/**
* @@@BUILDINFO@@@ PlaceAgain-PlaceOptionsShowing-SELECTION.jsx !Version! Fri Sep 09 2016 14:09:53 GMT+0200
*/

/*
	Posted in this thread at Adobe InDesign Forum:
	"Toggle pages of a linked Indesign document inside Indesign?"
	mmackinven | Sep 9, 2016
	https://forums.adobe.com/message/8993859#8993859
	
	You can either select the placed file directly or its container frame.
	Or, if its part of a group, the group itself.
	Or, if the container frame is pasted inside another object, that object.
	
*/

placeAgainSelection();

function placeAgainSelection()
{
	if(app.documents.length == 0){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"No document is open."); return};
	if(app.selection.length != 1){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"Select one single item containing a placed file."); return};

	// The placed object is selected:
	if
	(
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "ImportedPage" || 
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "PDF" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "EPS" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "Image" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "PICT" ||
		app.selection[0].constructor.name == "WMF"
	)
	{	
		var graphic = app.selection[0];
	};
	
	else if(app.selection[0].allGraphics.length == 0){return};
	
	// The container of the placed object is selected:
	else{var graphic = app.selection[0].allGraphics[0]};

	// Two important checks:
	// Case 1: Graphic was pasted on the page from e.g. PhotoShop:
	if(graphic.itemLink == null){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"The graphic was pasted on the page. The original file cannot be found.");return};
	// Case 2: Link is not available, because placed graphic was renamed, removed or otherwise is not available:
	var file = File(graphic.itemLink.filePath);
	if(!file.exists){alert("ERROR"+"\r"+"\""+file.name+"\""+"\r"+"File cannot be found."); return};
	
	// If you cancel the place options dialog, no error will be thrown:
	try{
	graphic.place(file,true);
	}catch(e){};
};

Tested with my German InDesign 2020 on Windows 10 where I placed an AI file from Illustrator 2020 using four artboards. I selected the graphic frame and ran the script. Placing options are showing up immediately and I am able to replace the selected graphic with itself using a different artboard:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Leah Ward]

Thanks so much. That script is scary!! I wish Adobe would make that an easy click in the links panel. I really appreciate it. Cheers! L.