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Wanted: Layer Names as Variable Text

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    • April 13, 2020 at 8:25 am #1237933
      Brett Stone
      Participant

      A client produces numerous multi-layer/multi-version documents, where 1) the layer name is an important part of programming variable data printing, and 2) It’s incredibly helpful for QC/Proofreading that the layer name be visible in the slug area of each layer.
      I’m seeking a solution similar to running headers or live captions that automatically updates the text in the slug area to match the current layer name. If the layer name is revised, so is the text contained in the slug area.
      Suggestions?

    • April 13, 2020 at 1:19 pm #1237984
      David Blatner
      Keymaster

      I don’t think there’s any way to do this with a text variable. It reminds me a little bit of the Frame Reporter add-on:
      https://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/indesign-downloads/framereporter/

      But I’m not sure why you don’t just put a text frame on each layer, and put the name of the layer inside that text frame.

    • April 13, 2020 at 7:21 pm #1238124
      Brett Stone
      Participant

      Thank you, David, for your reply.
      Essentially the method you mention is what the client currently does, but since the process is incredibly manual there are numerous opportunities for the name of the layer and the visible slug to become mismatched. For example, a layer slug may be intentionally changed but the layer name itself is not, and now the people who handle the variable data programming that combines layers don’t know which info is correct. Plus, in-house proofreading is time-consuming (often comparing the slug info to the layer name in a layered PDF) for files with 35+ unique variable layers. Eliminating these issues by a fully hands-off solution would be significant at increasing reliability and reducing programming errors.

    • November 25, 2020 at 1:18 pm #14332922
      Jennifer Soucy
      Participant

      I don’t do scripting, but this thread seemed to have a similar issue: https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/auto-capture-layer-names/td-p/4732350?page=1

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