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• • November 7, 2019 at 12:30 am #1194953
    Rodeo Dust

    Member

    Hello,

    I’m a graphic designer and I have a very complex problem and I am hoping there is a wizard out there who may have some ideas.

    We have created a map with a numbered legend, and I need the numbers in the legend to automatically update with the numbers on the map side.
    Here is a screenshot of the draft: https://ibb.co/NVJgRCS

    There are 2 x different coloured circles – white and gold – and it needs to be kept this way because this is how we show which tenants belong to a particular rewards program, and ones who do not

    My problem is that the map needs to be kept up to date ongoing – as tenants are moving out and moving in all the time, so the sequential numbering changes and it’s a logistical nightmare to manually adjust everything each time.

    The way it’s currently set-up is:
    – The circle numbers in the legend are circular text frames, with live text inside. Then, this text frame is anchored within another text frame which includes the tenant names (so that they can all be moved together as one). See screenshot here: https://ibb.co/NpXzM0N
    – The numbers on the map are just circular text frame, with live text inside
    – I have object styles set-up for the white and gold numbers
    – paragraph styles are set-up

    I have tried to work out if there’s a way to set this up with numbered lists, or sections … but just cannot work it out. I think there must be a way, so any help would be so very much appreciated!

  • November 7, 2019 at 1:28 am #14323796
    Sol Kawage

    Member

    I’ve seen this problem brilliantly solved by David Blatner: a numbered list, where you make the text invisible when you put it on the map, then use the Table of Contents feature to make your list on the left, thanks to the character style you use on the numbered list. You can use Mike Rankin’s hack using a dotted rule to make the circles on the numbered list: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L08nc-C7fbA

  • November 7, 2019 at 9:22 am #14323794
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    Thank you, Sol!
    Is it this video? https://www.linkedin.com/learning/indesign-secrets/356-numbering-items-in-a-diagram

  • November 7, 2019 at 9:59 am #14323790
    Sol Kawage

    Member

    It was a different video, one with a Tiger.. but it’s this technique :) Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge!

  • November 7, 2019 at 8:32 pm #14323786
    Rodeo Dust

    Member

    Hi Sol & David,

    Thank you both so much! I think I’ve figured it out using your information.

    The only thing I haven’t been able to do is the circle number with a stroke on the outside, as I’m using your suggested dotted paragraph rule which is great! But you can’t put a stroke around a paragraph rule stroke :( I wish Indesign would let us upload custom stroke styles from Illustrator, then this problem would be solved! But it’s ok, I’ll adjust the design so we don’t need a stroke.

    Thanks again, never would have been able to figure this out!

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