Making cross references inactive while retaining page number

[rosebude86799211]

Cross references are making my document unbearably slow. I'd like to keep the text, and all the hard work I put into entering it, but make the cross references inactive. If I do Delete Cross References, the cross reference page number changes to the current page number. Anyone know a work around or a way to save the hours of work I put into entering the cross references info but make my files usable. I'm using CC.

Thanks,

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Hi rosebude86799211:

This post explains how to convert x-refs to static text:

https://indesignsecrets.com/converting-cross-references-text-and-retaining-info

Let. us know if that works for you.

~Barb

[rosebude86799211]

Thanks so much. This should do the trick. I sure wish the InDesign team would figure out how to make cross references a usable attribute. In it's current state it's pretty much worthless.

[Barb Binder]

What version—exactly—of InDesign are you using?

~Barb

[FRIdNGE]

What is not clearly said by Sandee Cohen is that some kinds of CR have 2 parts: text + variable!

Convert this kind of CR to text (even if a part is already text) presents, as she rightly said, a bug.

For this reason, it's not the text part that will be converted but only the "variable" part!

That means the user won't loose the "dynamic" side  of the CR because (s)he doesn't convert them to text, only a part of them.

The first problem is to "convert" a variable through a CR!

A client asked me this some time ago! … Of course, to treat all the ID files of a folder! [more funny].

Just 1 click!

… And, of course, this "static" side could be just temporary, only to avoid to make the user's work "unbearably slow"!

Is the game finished? … 

Just try with just one CR, do as Sandee Cohen said but don't delete the CR in the CR panel! …

Then, "update" to recover the "dynamic side" of the CR! …

Best,

Michel

[FRIdNGE]

… Surely a really good idea to totally loose the CR "dynamic" side!

Best,

Michel, for FRIdNGE

[FRIdNGE]

I'm surprised this answer and its reference to Sandee Cohen's article on InDesignSecrets.com could be marked "as correct"!

In my humble opinion, "… Just highlight all the x-refs in the panel and click the trash icon" [in bold, dixit Sandee Cohen] is not exactly "make cross references inactive while retaining page number"! … 

Best,

Michel

[rosebude86799211]

It did do what I asked for. Ideally the CR's would stay active but this is a good solution if you don't need them to be.

You're suggestion worked great. I have yet to see if it helps with the speed, but it seems to do the trick.

On a side note I realized that some of my CRs were linking to old files which InDesign was having trouble finding. I resolved those issues and moved my files off the served I was working on. The files are working much better now.

Thanks everyone

[Barb Binder]

I am always happy to help, rosebude86799211 .

~Barb

[FRIdNGE]

Barb,

Sorry! … but I don't find something answering to the original question!

"Anyone know a work around or a way to save the hours of work I put into entering the cross references info but make my files usable."

The only right answer is to permit the user to update the CR after conversion!

… And if (s)he does it, (s)he will discover (s)he has a serious problem with a nice mess as gift!

So thanks to not include me in your "We"!

Best,

Michel