Problems creating book with IDML

[amy_braddon@hotmail.com]

Hi,

I'm sorry if this issue is already posted somewhere but I couldn't find it.

I have InDesign CC 2018 and I am I trying to create a book of IDML documents but it doesn't recognise them. It only works with INDD documents. I have over 500 documents.... is there any way I can get around this without having to re-save each document back to INDD?

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can assist! 🙂

[Test Screen Name]

IDML exists only as a way to fix problems, or convert to work with an older version. Each time you export to IDML you risk reflow and change. So never use it as your working file. 

[amy_braddon@hotmail.com]

Thanks! I've inherited them like this unfortunately!

[Creamer Training]

Simple answer: No.

[amy_braddon@hotmail.com]

Thank you!

[Creamer Training]

I'm not sure if this will work in your version of ID, but you can check out this script to batch process your IDMLs to INDDs:

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/batch_convert.html

[Derek Cross]

In addition Test Screen's answer, do you mean "books" or the InDesign Books facility as in File > New > Book... ?

That is to say is it 500 different books or one book containing 500 documents?

[amy_braddon@hotmail.com]

Thanks. I mean the InDesign book facility as you noted above. I'm looking to create one book containing 500 IDML documents. 

[Derek Cross]

What would be the total number of pages in the book and is it for printing or digital, such as a PDF?

[amy_braddon@hotmail.com]

It is 544pp and I need it as a full book PDF for cross-checks, not for printing or publishing online. 

[Derek Cross]

Presumably there's no problem opening the IDML documents and saving them as INDDs?

[amy_braddon@hotmail.com]

That works fine, but I just don't want to have to do it for 500 documents... 

[Derek Cross]

Have a word with Keith at https://www.rorohiko.com he might be able to write you a script (for a fee).

[Creamer Training]

See link to free script posted higher in this page.

[Derek Cross]

So these "books" are mostly one page documents?

[Laubender]

Hi Amy,

if you really want to use InDesign's Book feature, because you want synchronize things, then yes, you must do this with InDesign documents and not with IDML files. If you do not want to synchronize things why would you like to use the Book feature at all? To do something with the IDML files you have to open them as InDesign documents.

Best use Peter Kahrel's script to batch save the IDML files to InDesign documents.

It will also work with files from nested subfolders.

Batch-process (convert/export/import) documents

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/batch_convert.html

If you only want to export the IDML files to PDF you can do this also with Peter Kahrel's script. Without InDesign's book feature. However, you have to make sure that needed fonts and linked images can be found.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )