Syncing Multiple Text Boxes in a Single Indesign File

In theory this problem seems rather simple and there should be a simple way to accomplish my task, but every search I've tried for syncing text only explains how to thread text boxes.
What I need to do is layout a template that is 4UP on the page. Currently, whenever I make any edits to my text I have to copy the change multiple times to reflect the change in each instance of my layout on the page.
What I'd like to do is sync all my textboxes so that any changes or updates will automatically be reflected in each instance of the layout. In the past I've accomplished this in Illustrator using symbols and instances a symbol, but I've yet to find a simlar method in Indesign.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

zslash64 wrote:
I had stumbled cross referencing, but didn't understand I needed a seperate reference for each paragraph within the text box. This worked pretty well, however when making changes to the original reference sources, I found the cross reference would break so by time I updated and re-linked each reference in every text box it ended up taking more time than simply copying the original text box 3 times. I guess I'm looking for more of a dynamic solution.
Thanks for the help!
Zach Barner
Hi, Zach:
Thanks for the feedback. You shouldn't have to relink or update multiple changed cross-references in a document individually.
I did a test on my suggestion, because x-refs aren't supposed to break completely when source context is changed. I saw that I didn't caution you about deleting the cross-reference marker (AKA "Text Anchor"); when you create a cross-reference to source material, in the same or different documents, InDesign inserts a cross-reference marker at the beginning of the source paragraph. If it's not visible, enable Type > Show Hidden Characters. It looks like a colon character (:) in the layer's indicator color.
NOTE: InDesign uses the term "Destination" to describe the paragraph that a cross-reference pulls into the cursor position when you insert a cross-reference, and it uses the term "Source" to describe the pulled-in destination paragraph that's displayed at the position where the cross-reference is inserted. This usage derives from the terms used for InDesign hyperlinks, where it makes better sense. Depending on your pre-InDesign experience with cross-references in longhand, typewritten, or other computer applications, you may find it, as I do, counterintuitive. I think of "source" as what you pull in, "destination" as the place where you display what's pulled in, and "reference" as the thing that's pulled in. I also use the term "source document" to describe the document that contains the reference's source, and I use the term "container document" to describe the document that contains the reference (the stuff that's pulled in.)
So, when you change a cross-reference's source material in the source document, if you take care not to delete the cross-reference markers/text anchors that are created at the beginning of source paragraphs, the references in the container document's Hyperlinks/Cross-references panel display a yellow warning triangle for each changed source, and you can update them in one action.
Updating the changed cross-references can also be confusing: If no changed (yellow triangle) cross-references are selected in the Hyperlinks / Cross-References panel are selected (highlighted,) whether you use the Update cross-references button at the bottom of the Hyperlinks / Cross-References panel, or the Update Cross-Reference item on the Hyperlinks / Cross-References panel's flyout menu, ALL changed cross-references are updated. However, if one or more changed cross-references in the panel are selected, the update button or menu item updates only the selected references.
See if this helps simplify your operations.
HTH
Regards,
Peter
Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices

Similar Messages

Multiple Text Boxes Populating a Single Field

I need to create several select lists in a form that can each populate the same field in a table, but obviously need for the select lists in the form to be mutually exclusive so that the user can only enter data into one of them.
There is also a field on the form displayed as a radiogroup, and I would like for the user's selection on this radiogroup to dictate which one of these multiple select lists they use to enter this data.
Before I do any of this, however, I guess my first question is, how do I create multiple text entry fields on a form for just a single field in the table?

hi brice--
if you're coding your form page manually, you'd simply add your extra fields to your page definition and conditionally diplay and use the values you needed. i'm guessing you're asking about wizard generated forms.
you can associate multiple fields with a single database column on your form by simply adding the extra ones you need and conditionally displaying/processing the ones you need. your other questions sound like javascript ones to me. if it were me, i'd take a look at our javascript how-to document at...
http://otn.oracle.com/products/database/htmldb/howtos/htmldb_javascript_howto2.html
...and find the specific javascript i needed from google.
hope this helps,
raj

Exporting Text from multiple text boxes?

I'm using InDesign CS3 on the Macintosh. I need to export text from multiple text boxes/stories into one text file. The Export File command only exports text when the text tool is selected and the cursor is in the text box. Unfortunately, I have 8-20 individual text boxes per page, none are linked, and my document is 100+ pages, so selecting each text box individually is much too time consuming. There must be a better way - Please help!
Thanks!
Carolyn

The text exporter plug-in seems to work! I did a quick test - text still will need some clean-up to make sure it's in the correct order, but MUCH better than exporting each story individually. THANKS!

Is it possible to do a multiple-records data merge that doesn't generate multiple text boxes?

Is it possible to do a multiple-records data merge that doesn't generate multiple text boxes? And if so, how?
For publications such as a directory with contact information, it would be easier to manage the layout by merging multiple records into one text box. However, it seems like the only option in InDesign is to merge the records into each of their own text boxes.

No, but it's possible to stitch the frames together after the merge, then reflow. See Adobe Community: Multiple record data merge into paragraph styles-applies the wrong style

Can you calculate multiple text boxes to achieve a total value? If so how is that done? I am trying to create a order form where multiple items can be purchased but i would like the values of each item to calculate so I can achieve a total value.

Can you calculate multiple text boxes to achieve a total value? If so how is that done? I am trying to create a order form where multiple items can be purchased but i would like the values of each item to calculate so I can achieve a total value.

Hi sashby51,
I've moved your discussion to the PDF Forms forum--the folks who visit this forum regularly should be able to point you in the right direction.
Best,
Sara

How do i link text boxes between pages in indesign cs5

How do i linbk text boxes between pages in indesign cs5 please

It is indeed may be someone has moved the discussions,
Regarding your issue, Check this link:- http://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/threading-text.html
If you could explain what exactly you are trying to do we may help better.

Find and Replace Font Colors in Multiple Text Boxes

Hello,
I have Illustrator version 15
I made many text boxes with multiple colors, red and black on each letter. I was wondering if there is a find and replace tool for multiple text boxes. I want to change the reds to black and the blacks to light grey. I tried clicking on change swatch color but it only worked for the letter I had selected, even with the global option selected. I then when to select -> Same -> Color Stroke but it just selected each text box on the page....Is there anyway to do this?
Jordan

Not exactly a find and replace but you can do it.
Select the text frames yu want to change the colors using the shift key to click select the frames.
Then go to Edit>Edit Color>Recolor Art
You wll see a dialog with red and black bars along side two shorter bars click the shorter bars to select a New Color a color picker will appear you can use the swatches or the color mixer.
There is a live preview /so you will see the change in case you want to pick a different gray, of course you can always go back to the recolor art dialog.
I am afraid you manually have to select text frames with multiple colors in order to accomplish what you want but the method above I believe is the only want to change the colors.
This video shows how the dialog works but pretend the one frame I did not select is another color.
http://www.wadezimmerman.com/videos/RecolorText.mov

In Pages, How to duplicate a design (multiple text boxes

In Pages, How to duplicate a design (multiple text boxes & graphics) which is on the top half of the page, onto the bottom half? I appreciate anybody's suggestion!
Alan

Hi alanhome,
Not trying to be cheeky, but a copy and paste doesn't work?
Cheers,
GB

Multiple Text Boxes into One Text Box

I need multiple text boxes to populate into one text box. I've got it to work with....
a=a + "\n " + (this.getField("Other Current Illnesses 1").value)
However, if the field is blank, it gives me a blank line.   What is the code if the box is "empty" to "skip" that text box?
Here is what I tried, but it takes everything away even if there is something in the textbox:
if (this.getField("Other Current Illnesses 1").value !==null) {a=a + ""} else
a=a + "\n " + (this.getField("Other Current Illnesses 6").value)
Any help?

From the sample forms supplied with the Acrobat distribution CD, you can use the "fillin" function that can process up to 3 fields at one time and automatically adjust for null value fields and add an option separator string;
The document level function:
// Concatenate 3 strings with separators where needed
function fillin(s1, s2, s3, sep) {
Purpose: concatenate up to 3 strings with an optional separator
inputs:
s1: required input string text or empty string
s2: required input string text or empty string
s3: required input string text or empty string
sep: optional separator sting
returns:
sResult concatenated string
// variable to determine how to concatenate the strings
var test = 0; // all strings null
var sResult; // re slut string to return
// force any number string to a character string for input variables
s1 = s1.toString();
s2 = s2.toString();
s3 = s3.toString();
if(sep.toString() == undefined) sep = ''; // if sep is undefined force to null
assign a binary value for each string present
so the computed value of the strings will indicate which strings are present
when converted to a binary value
if (s1 != "") test += 1; // string 1 present add binary value: 001
if (s2 != "") test += 2; // string 2 present add binary value: 010
if (s3 != "") test += 4; // string 3 present add binary value: 100
/* return appropriate string combination based on
calculated test value as a binary value
switch (test.toString(2)) {
case "0": // no non-empty strings passed - binary 0
     sResult = "";
break;
case "1": // only string 1 present - binary 1
     sResult = s1;
break;
case "10": // only string 2 present - binary 10
     sResult = s2;
break;
case "11": // string 1 and 2 present - binary 10 + 1
     sResult = s1 + sep + s2;
break;
case "100": // only string 3 present - binary 100
     sResult = s3;
break;
case "101": // string 1 and 3 - binary 100 + 001
     sResult = s1 + sep + s3;
break;
case "110": // string 2 and 3 - binary 100 + 010
     sResult = s2 + sep + s3;
break;
case "111": // all 3 strings - binary 100 + 010 + 001
     sResult = s1 + sep + s2 + sep + s3;
break;
default: // any missed combinations
     sResult = "";
break;
return sResult;
Then a custom calculation field for a full business phone number consisting of 4 fields could be:
// Business telephone number w/country code and extension
function doFullBusinessTelephoneVoice() {
var cc = this.getField("business.telephone.voice.countrycode"); // country code;
var ac = this.getField("business.telephone.voice.areacode"); // area code;
var nu = this.getField("business.telephone.voice.number"); // exhchange and phone number;
var ex = this.getField("business.telephone.voice.extension"); // internal extension number;
event.value = fillin(cc.value, ac.value, nu.value, "-"); // first 3 fields;
event.value = fillin(event.value, ex.value, "", "-"); // combined 3 fields and internal extension;
doFullBusinessTelephoneVoice();
It looks like a lot of code, but it is easy to insert document level scripts into t pdf so the actual coding is not that much. And if one hase multiple fields that requrie multiple input fields, the coding task is even less compared to working out each field.

Letter-Spacing is different if I open my file at another Mac of us (Value is at both mac 0, but the text is longor), and if I cklick into the text-box, Illustrator says that the file was made in an other Version of Illustrator. We have on all macs the sam

Letter-Spacing is different if I open my file at another Mac of us (Value is at both mac 0, but the text is longor), and if I cklick into the text-box, Illustrator says that the file was made in an other Version of Illustrator. We have on all macs the same system, os 10.8.3, cs6 and UTC4. And of course we`re using exactly the same font....

Packpool,
I believe the first thing to do is to update to 16.0.5.
Adobe - Illustrator : For Macintosh

Combining single Indesign files to make one file

Rather than using the "book" feature in Indesign CS2, I combine single Indesign files into one large (editable) Indesign file this way:
1. Create a NEW Indesign file and SAVE as a new name
2. Open my first existing Indesign file
3. Minimize both files and resize so they are side by side
4. Bring up the PAGES pallette on the first file you want to place
5. In the PAGES pallette, highlight (click on) page 1, hold down shift and click on the last page. This should select all pages.
6. Click and hold, drag these pages to the NEW file.
7. Open each file you wish to include, and repeat the process in the order you would like, until all files are added.
8. I keep the individual files rather than deleting (in this case it is a yearbook which individual students will be working on the following year). The only problem with this is to make sure if last-minute revisions are made to the final (all-inclusive) Indesign file, the same changes need to be made to the individual files.
The main reason I do it this way instead of creating a PDF using the book feature, is for purposes of automatic page numbering within the Indesign file, as well as having the final project in one editable Indesign file.

So, you're combining all the files at the end just for the sake of page numbering (page numbering that you can do in the book files anyway), and you keep the separate files for future revision? Seems incredibly inefficient to me and offers no advantages.

Re-linking multiple text boxes in InDesign

So here's my problem....
I've laid out a magazine in InDesign. It has many features, complete with graphics, insets, etc. One of my contributing authors wants his story (as published) sent to him separately in order to have it translated into Japanese. It's six pages long. I've copied & pasted it into a new 6 page InDesign document. But now the text box links are broken. I want to re-link the text boxes (already filled with text) back together, but I can't seem to figure out how to do that. I really DON'T want to have to reflow all the text and graphics again. Isn't there a simple way to just re-link the text Boxes?

Instead of copy/pasting, you would have been better off going to
Layout>Pages>Move Pages and moved them to a new document. Then the text
threads would have stayed intact.

Indesign tables – alternating fills over multiple text boxes

Here is the issue – I have a document FULL of tables, for a schedule of meetings, with alternating fills of gray and white. Often, the table hits the end of a page/text box and runs over to the next. The header row repeats (contains the time for the meetings, so that's great), but the alternating fills do not reset (the screenshot shows what is happening now).
In other words, if the table splits on a gray cell, the top of the next page/text box has a white cell. I want every text box to begin with the header row and a gray fill. Right now I can only figure how to do it manually, splitting each table at the break point.
The reason this is key is that the schedule changes rapidly up until the print date, so often cells shift around, making a manual series of text boxes, to say the least, frustrating to work with.

Thank you Peter, I had the same suspicions. I guess I’ll have to modify this catalog one item at a time.
Have a Great Weekend.

Typing text in multiple text boxes simultaneously

Is is possible or is there a way or a plugin that will allow me to type a number in one text box and it will appear on multiple other text boxes in the same document. My scenario is I am running 15-up business card type layouts and I am trying a add a job # to each of the backside of these 15 cards by typing it once. Does anyone know how to accomplish this?

Harbs,
Single line? I wouldn't expect a job number to be multi-line.
Unstyled? What makes you say that? Any style (including a nested one) applied to the section character placeholder on the master page would be used. I don't have experience in CS3, but I would like to believe that the text variables would behave the same way. From the behavior I've seen on the InDesigner videos, that is the case.
Something more complex, such as a multi-line thing, would naturally require a more complex solution. But, for the task as outlined in the original post, the suggestions should be sufficient. Based on John's response, whichever solution he used worked well enough.
-mt

How to edit multiple text boxes (not linked/chained) in story editor?

I don't have a book with running text, but lots of pages (70) with separate text boxes on each page plus some captions. It is a design for exhibition panels.
It is really painful to proof read. And taking a print for all these pages to proof read is a waste! Is there no way I can see "all" the text in a view, one by one (without selecting the text boxes on each page) to simply review and edit the text? Is the story editor so basic? (I don't see any options or functions in the story editor window!)

No way I know of in InDesign but what you could do is export all the content to an InCopy assignment. Open the assignment in InCopy and then check it out. That will give you all the stories to edit in Galley, Story or Layout view.
InCopy is a part of Creative Cloud. If you're on something earlier, there's little else I can offer unless you happen to be on CS6 since InCopy CS6 can still be purchased.

Syncing Multiple Text Boxes in a Single Indesign File

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for