Scripting InDesign with JavaScript

By Peter Kahrel
August 2006
Pages: 56
Series: Short Cut
Format: PDF
ISBN 10: 0-596-52817-5 | ISBN 13: 9780596528171
starstarstarstarstar (5) (Average of 3 Customer Reviews)

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 PDF description

InDesign provides a powerful set of tools for producing beautiful documents. While you can certainly do all your work by hand through InDesign's graphical interface, there are many times when it's much easier to write a script. Once you've automated a task, you can run it over the whole document, ensuring consistency, or just when you need it, simplifying and speeding your layout process. All it takes is a bit of JavaScript knowledge and a willingness to explore InDesign's programming features. (This version covers only InDesign CS2. For coverage of InDesign CS3 and CS4, see the version at http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596802523/.)
Full Description

InDesign provides a powerful set of tools for producing beautiful documents. While you can certainly do all your work by hand through InDesign's graphical interface, there are many times when it's much easier to write a script. Once you've automated a task, you can run it over the whole document, ensuring consistency, or just when you need it, simplifying and speeding your layout process. All it takes is a bit of JavaScript knowledge and a willingness to explore InDesign's programming features. (This version covers only InDesign CS2. For coverage of InDesign CS3 and CS4, see the version at http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596802523/.)

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Great Resource,  March 13 2009
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Harbs   [Respond | View]

A very good resource from a very helpful guy!

Peter does a great job of presenting the information needed to get you up to speed in an easy to digest format.


Scripting InDesign with JavaScript,  January 03 2007
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Theresa   [Respond | View]


I gave it a 5 only because there wasn't anything higher.

This is a GREAT reference tool for anyone trying to find their way around with JavaScript intended specifically for InDesign.

Mr. Kahrel brings the topic down to a non-programmer level and offers some great examples of scripts that can be easily modified to fit many automation needs.

This is a valuable reference that has been desperately needed for a long time. I hope we will be seeing more of his work soon.

Theresa


An excellent start for IND scripting,  September 15 2006
Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
Submitted by Gram   [Respond | View]

I started using InDesign a couple of months ago and realised that I really needed to learn some scripting to make my life easier. I had no knowledge of programming and was totally lost trying to understand the INDD scripting handbook. Fortunately, I stumbled across across Peter and this incredibly well-written book. It suited my needs perfectly. It set the groundwork and the rules to follow. It gave me a direction to go in and it made sense of the gobbledy-gook, which was the scripting handbook. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to start along this road. Scripting is the most powerful tool within INDD and it is easily overlooked. Get to grips with it with this book and your DTP life will be much, much easier.

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