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• • February 14, 2017 at 4:25 am #92173
    Masood Ahmad

    Participant

    Hi,

    Is it possible to automate the extraction of text from InDesign to Excel in a given order:

    I have uploaded a source InDesign file with markups, see “InDesign2Excel_Input.indd”. The text is in one single text-frame and in cells as well. I have manually copied and pasted the text from InDesign to Excel for this one, see “InDesign2Excel_Output.xlsx”

    Files can be downloaded from here:
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/26ykzxb7ijzq7z5/InDesign2Excel.zip?dl=0

    Can someone suggest a workflow to automate the process for 500+ pages. A script would be more helpful.

    Thanks in advance.

  • February 14, 2017 at 9:39 am #92175
    Anne-Marie Concepcion

    Member

    Whoa. So the InDesign file *is* the database? No original source for all that info?

    Nothing comes to mind, sorry. I would think that exporting that content to a text file, and then using some sort of GREP and AppleScript fo copy the text to a tab-delimited file, would be the way to go. You might ask on the InDesign Scripting forum here: https://forums.adobe.com/community/indesign/indesign_scripting.

    AM

  • February 14, 2017 at 10:20 am #92181
    Masood Ahmad

    Participant

    Thanks Anne, I’ll try that out. But I’m not sure it will be done that way.

    Anyways, I have posted the question on the Adobe forum. Let’s see what I’ll get:

    https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2277666

  • February 14, 2017 at 1:29 pm #92191
    Kai Rübsamen

    Member

    Hi Masood, I would think, this is possible. A script could collect the content and write it to a csv. A problem could be, that the para styles do not correspond with your datafields. So this need a little love.

    However: This is a request for a paid script!

  • February 15, 2017 at 3:24 am #92213
    Masood Ahmad

    Participant

    Thanks Kai for looking into this but my company is not ready to pay for that little love. Instead they will ask the team to do it manually.

    Tough :( but that’s the last option I see.

  • July 19, 2020 at 6:54 am #14331331
    Lukáš Záleský

    Participant

    late but still :) look for —- in your text.
    you can achieve this by 2 scripting languages. Javascript and Autohotkey. (im not a programator – it is my hobby) but my idea is:
    JS can select all text on the page and copy to clipboard. Then use AHK to split text based on paragraphs characters (all indd file have to same layout – same numbers of paragraphs) here:
    Inspired by our popular Rapid Assault Combat Shirt, the Rapid Response Half-zip is built from a high performance, quick-dry, two-way stretch polyester/spandex fabric that provides a snug and secure fit without bunching or rolling. An ideal bottom or mid layer, the Rapid Response features a moisture wicking finish that keeps you warm and dry, a secure zip pocket on the left arm, an embossed loop platform on the left arm, and stylish embroidered 5.11 branding.
      —– HERE are first 2 paragraphs in a row = desctriptions
    Overview:
    + High performance two-way stretch fabric
    + Moisture wicking, quick drying
    + Zippered sleeve pocket at left bicep
    + Scope embossed loop platform on right bicep
     —– HERE are 2 paragraphs in a row = find word “Overview” and all text until 2 paragraphs appear (AHK will put this text to excel – specific cell)
    Specifications:
    + 92% polyester / 8% spandex torso
    + 91% polyester / 9% spandex sleeves, shoulders, and collar
    + Embroidered 5.11 branding
    + Also available in RealTree XTRA
     —– HERE are 2 paragraphs in a row = find word “Specifications” and all text until 2 paragraphs appear
    (All will be a buletts part – (AHK will put this text to excel – specific cell)
    72415 Rapid Half Zip | 092 Storm, 190 TDU Green, 709 Regatta | S-2XL
    62381 Women’s Rapid Half Zip | 018 Charcoal, 498 Blush, 831 Sage Green | XS-XL
    72424 Realtree Rapid Half Zip | 302 RealTree XTRA | S-2XL
    72444 Rapid Half Zip | 018 Charcoal, 120 Coyote, 831 Sage Green | XS-XL, XXL
    …and so on all via GREP.
    then AHK jump to another page and repeat the process.
    I belive this can be done just with Javascript, but i cant do this. But with combination with these two languages i am able to do this.
    so maybe in future projects ;)

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