Devin wrote:
I have 50 InDesign files that need to be packaged for print. Is there a way to setup an automatic action (like in psd) that allows you to open, package, then close?
InDesign doesn’t have an Actions feature, unfortunately. I wish it did! You could script this, but it may or may not be worth taking the time to learn scripting or pay a scripter to do it for you. If you had 1,000 files, then sure! We can put you in touch with a number of scripters.
However, here’s a reasonably fast method to get the job done.
First, create a new book (File > New > Book). You can name it whatever you want. Then, in the book panel that opens, choose Book Page Numbering Options from the panel menu:
Turn OFF the “Automatically Update Page & Section Numbers” option, then click OK. That ensures your documents don’t get renumbered.
Now add all your documents to the book panel. You can drag and drop them into the panel (from the Finder or Windows Explorer), or click the + button in the panel.
Finally, click in the blank area at the bottom of the panel (to deselect all the files) and choose Package Book for Print from the panel menu:
Because no documents were selected in the panel, InDesign will package all the documents! You’ll end up with a single folder with all the InDesign documents and a single Links folder with all the images in it. Works great!
Of course, if you really need each file in its own packaged folder, this won’t work for you. Well, there’s always room for improvement.
This article was last modified on December 20, 2021
This article was first published on October 20, 2009
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