Four useful InDesign scripts

When I was updating the corner effects tip this weekend, I looked in the scripts folder to make sure the old corner effects script was still there. And I noticed four time-saving scripts sitting there that might save a bunch of time.

To open up the scripts palette, go to Window>Utilities>Script. The Script palette will open and you can choose scripts that are included under Application>Samples>Applescript (or Javascript).

These scripts ship with InDesign as samples of the power of scripting. But they are quite useful, and almost universally ignored. And if you are comfortable with Applescript or Javascript, you can customize or adjust these easily.

Break Frame/Split Story

Sometimes, you place copy and as you move things around, you realize you need to break the threaded text. It can be a challenge. The two scripts work slightly differently, but successfully separate the text thread into individual frames. For me, both scripts seem have the same final result. A word of warning: each script handles overset text differently. I’d make sure you don’t have any overset text before you start the script. But if you’ve ever tried to do this by hand, you realize this can be a massive time saver.

Sort Paragraphs

Got a list that you need to sort alphabetically? The Sort Paragraphs script can do it. Select your text, run the script and the paragraphs are now in alphabetical order.

Start with a list (left), then select the text you want to alphabetize (middle), run the Sort Paragraphs script and the list will be in alphabetical order.

Place Multipage PDF

On more than one occasion, I’ve had to place a multiple page PDF into an InDesign document. This script will place each page for you, adding additional pages to the InDesign document as needed. Simply select the PDF, tell the script what page to start on and InDesign will place all of the pages into the upper left hand corner of the page.

Export All Stories

Every so often, someone asks me for the text from an InDesign document. They may want to edit it or redesign a document. Copy and paste works, but takes time. The Export All Stories script will export stories as text, RTF or InDesign Markup files. Note that every “story” (meaning every text box or series of threaded text boxes) will export as a single file.

Corner effects in InDesign CS5

A while back, I offered up a tip for rounding select corners using the sample script that ships with InDesign. Well, I finally upgraded to InDesign CS5 and Adobe has added a couple new ways to round selected corners for rectangles.

The new corner options dialog box (Object > Corner Options…) offers the ability to set the corner type and size for each individual corner. Also, you can set select corner options in object styles and apply the effects to multiple boxes.

But there is an easier way to change the corner effects. In InDesign CS5, there is a yellow square in the upper right corner of a bounding box. Clicking that square enters a “Live Corners” mode with yellow diamonds on the box corners. Click and drag on any of those corners to change the shape of all of the corners. Using modifier keys, you can alter the behavior:

• Hold the shift key to change only one corner.
• Hold the option key and click on the diamond to cycle through the corner options.
• Hold both the option and shift keys to cycle through corner options on a specific corner.

So yes, using this technique means you could create a different corner effects on every corner of a rectangle. (Remember, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.)

Limitations

In practice, while the “Live Corner” method described above is impressive, using the corner options dialog box will probably be more precise and thus, more useful. Also, note that if you have anything other than a rectangle, you won’t be able to independently change selected corners. So if you want to round odd corners on a hexagon, then you’ll need to use the script technique that I described previously.

Also, it’s pretty easy to accidentally click on the yellow box. If it annoys you, you can turn it off by going to View > Extras > Hide Live Corners.

Corner Effects in InDesign

Every so often, when working in InDesign, I want a frame or box with rounded corners. And that’s really easy if you need to round all corners. But what if you want to round just one corner? Or opposite corners? There are lots of ways to do it, but it’s a little tougher. And more time consuming.

Yesterday, I was looking at solving a repetitive production problem by using a script in InDesign CS4. (I haven’t upgraded to CS5 yet.) I dove into scripting in InDesign to automate the process.

Most people have never opened the scripting panel (Window>Automation>Scripts). But in the scripting panel are sample scripts in Applescript and Javascript. I noticed a script titled “CornerEffects.applescript.” This struck me as odd, because there is a “Corner Options” command in InDesign. What made this script different? I opened it and got a dialog box…

The top part of the dialog box essentially provides the same options as the “Corner Options” command. And the offset box allows you to adjust the size of the corner. But what about the Pattern combo box? It defaults to “all points,” but take a look at the options available: first point, last point, second point, third point, odd points, even points and more…

Left: The starting shape. Middle: Rounded corners on odd points. Right: Beveled corners on first two points.

When applied to a box, it gives you the ability to round or bevel selected corners. Sometimes, it takes a little trial and error to figure out which point the “first” point is. The first point usually seems to be point in the upper left and then selection moves counterclockwise.

You can also use the odd and even points patterns on a star shape. “Odd points” effect the inside points. “Even points” modify the outside points.

Left: The starting shape. Middle: Rounded corners on odd points. Right: Rounded corners on even points.

I’m assuming this is still here in CS5 and I don’t have a copy of CS3 handy to see if its there, too. But if you need to round select corners on a shape in InDesign, this is a time-saver. (And check out the rest of the sample scripts, too.)