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• • December 3, 2009 at 9:48 pm #54116
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    I have numerous spreadsheet and database apps that output Tagged Text format files with paragraph and character styles defined, that I link to in InDesign, then Update Links after the text file is exported from the application. I had one workstation where suddenly, when she clicked update links, the file was imported using the wrong styles. I finally tracked it down to her having somehow had the default changed on the Tagged Text Import so Remove Text Formatting was selected.

    At first I thought, Duh, why didn't I realize it right away, but here's the question: since these are linked files, I never place them again or have the option to view the Tagged Text Import Options window while updating links. So where can I go to check and/or set this preference, without actually just importing another tagged text format file to check or change what the current default setting is?

  • December 4, 2009 at 4:34 pm #54144
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    It sounds as though you have Create Links When Placing Text and Spreadsheet Files turned on in preferences. This makes text files act like images, so they show up in the Links panel.

    I have long wanted a way (both for linked text and images) to simply “show import options again for this file,” but there isn't anything, except using the Relink feature, and re-linking to the same file… same as in this post:

    https://creativepro.com/cho…..-image.php

  • December 7, 2009 at 5:40 pm #54166
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    Actually, David, it was not turned on in the preferences. For new imported text that I want linked, I import the tagged text file with it turned on the first time, then turn it off. The point is, if you have already set up the linked text file on purpose, even after you turn off that preference, using Place with another Tagged Text format file with the Remove Text Formatting box checked resets the option being used when Update Link is selected for previously linked text files.

    Here's the test. I opened a document I have with Tagged Text format files that have been refreshed. I could update links, and the styles came in correctly. I didn't save, closed, and opened again. I then placed a Tagged Text format file with Import Options on, and checked the Remove Text Formatting box. The file was placed without the styles.

    BUT now when I Update Links for my many linked Tagged Text format files, the default import options have been altered for those as well. Every Tagged Text format file that I had setup to update links now has the styles stripped out when I Update Links for refreshed text files. I have to actually import another file or relink and uncheck a box to get that dialog box again. So this happens independently of whether you have the preference set to create links for imported files. You can do it as a one-time thing for one file without that preference set, and not even create a link at all, and if you change the import options for that Tagged Text file, the default import options that you can no longer see for all of your Tagged Text files that appear as links to text will also change automatically.

    What I would like to see is that linking to a text file would allow me a setting that says, no matter what you do when placing a Tagged Text file in the future, THIS specific link has now been set to permanently stick as not having the text format stripped out. I was hoping there was some way to do that, but it appears not. Ah, well.

  • December 7, 2009 at 6:54 pm #54168
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    Oh, I think I see what you mean. The import options are “sticky” — that is, they stay the way you last used them. Right? That's just the way ID works.

    However, I'm still not clear on your use of the phrase “update links.” Do you mean just placing them again? “Update links” means something specific in InDesign, having to do with the Links panel.

  • December 10, 2009 at 4:46 pm #54202
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    No, I do not place them again. Yes, I have placed Tagged Text format files that are linked. I export the text file from a spreadsheet or database application, and I go to the Links panel and Update Links to refresh the Tagged Text file with the new data. I will never place them again, ever. They are permanently, forever more, going to be updated after export from xls and dbf by updating links.

    I work in an automated production environment, with weekly newsletters that have several standing features for tables and graphs, including a price guide for 1,600 prices. The prices change, but the underlying tables do not. Until I can learn to create the entire thing from the database with idml or other means, I linked to the Tagged Text format files.

    I'm still struggling to understand why the import options are sticky with linked text files, since by linking, aren't we saying the import options we are using right then are the ones we want for that file from then on? It doesn't seem logical that their import options (which I can never review again unless I'm placing them again) would actually change depending on something else I'm working on. I'm fairly new to InDesign, moving from Ventura, but if Update Links is treated the same as Placing a file again, then shouldn't I at least see the Import options again so I can recognize they have been changed by a previous setting?

    Thanks! — Nancy

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