Depending on the number of pages that you are working with, the way I get around this issue is to have all of my pages in one spread. You can have up to 10 pages in a spread. That usually covers me for what I need to do, but without knowing your workflow, it would be harder to advise you on how to handle it.

I use this method a lot when I have to recreate something that needs to match the same print positions as the original. Typically, it is a Quark to InDesign or PageMaker to InDesign conversion. I use an FPO Layer (For Position Only) with the original image (usually a PDF made from the Quark or PageMaker file) and add a new layer for text and/or graphics. I create and apply an object style for items on the FPO Layer so the transparency is about 40-50% and the layer is positioned below the new text layer. When I'm done, I can either delete the layer or select all of the items on the layer and remove them. It works much faster than working on it page by page.

Thanks!

Theresa

Hi nellbern:

Here's another way of possibly approaching this project. You said the information is primarily a Word file with labels containing a name and address. What about setting this up as a DataMerge project in InDesign? You won't need to buy any additional software or plug-ins. DataMerge comes with InDesign. You could easily convert the names and addresses from the Word file into a spreadsheet in Excel and save it out as CSV (comma separated values) or a Tab-delimited text file.

Both file types are acceptable with DataMerge in InDesign. This would also make your future updates and revisions go much smoother.

There may be a possibility that whoever is supplying the Word file back to you could supply it to you in a different format like a spreadsheet that could then be saved as a CSV file or a tab-delimited text file. My hunch is that the client is pulling their updated information from a database somewhere. It would save some steps for everyone if they could just output that data from the database into a spreadsheet for you.

There is a good tutorial at https://www.instantindesign.com on DataMerge called “Episode 2: Automating a Catalog with Data Merge” at: https://www.instantindesign.com…..p?view=386. It goes into some pretty good detail about how to set up repeating elements like what you are describing.

Good luck!

Theresa

I think this might be what you are looking for. This script is written in JavaScript so it should work on either platform.

Copy and paste the text below into a blank text file and save it with a *.jsx extension.

You will need to save this file in your Scripts folder (wherever that is located on your hard drive).

I'm assuming that you have used scripts before and are familiar with where they are located and how to run them.

If not, just ask, and I will try to guide you through the process more thoroughly.

RenameStyles();

function RenameStyles() {

myDoc = app.documents[0];

if ( myDoc == null ) { exit }

else if ( myDoc != null || myDoc != 0 ) {

myStyle = myDoc.paragraphStyles.item(“INDD_StyleName1”);
if (myStyle != null)  try { { myStyle.name = “Word_StyleName1” } } catch (myError) { exit }

myStyle = myDoc.paragraphStyles.item(“INDD_StyleName2”);
if (myStyle != null)  try { { myStyle.name = “Word_StyleName2” } } catch (myError) { exit }

myStyle = myDoc.paragraphStyles.item(“INDD_StyleName3”);
if (myStyle != null)  try { { myStyle.name = “Word_StyleName3” } } catch (myError) { exit }

     }

 }

Good luck!

Theresa