InDesign Actions

If you are working on a Mac, Applescript isn't that hard.  I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack and I can do it.  Start by opening up some of the supplied scripts in Script Editor.  There are Applescripts that are very complex, but an "action" script is usually limited in scope and simple.  Do you have an example Action that you'd like to have?

Does the upcoming CS5 have actions? Is there a automated way of

exporting to ePub?

Nobody participating in thei s forum is in a position ot be able to answer questions about what might or might not be included in any future release. We'll all have to wait for the public announcements.

I totally agree. We need actions in InDesign - scripting is way too complex (and I'm a web designer who writes JS!). Photoshop has had them for years, and they are absolutely wonderful.

+1 for Actions in InDesign.  Or perhaps a "script recorder" that let you see how to accomplish actions via javascript or whatever language you choose.

I need to import an XML file, export pdf, import a different XML, export pdf, etc etc 150 times.

There is a server version for Indesign. Maybee the reason for this.

Actions are a time saver in Photoshop. Don´t know why they doesn´t exist in InDesign. I need to place 235 tables from illustrator: Place, scale 65%, rotate 90° and center on page... 235 times!

if you need to do this more than one time you will be faster if you write a script that does it instead of doing it manually each time.

If you are doing the same transformations repeatedly, you can do one frame, then select as many more as possible (i.e, the rest that are on the spread or all that are on another spread), then Object > Transform > Transform Again > Transform Sequence Again Individually. This is not quite as nice as an action, but comes fairly close, and you can edit the keyboard shortcuts to assigne a shortcut to the command if yo need to use it a lot.

There is an action script recorder out there, by Rorohiko nonetheless.  However you'll have to fork over $100 for it.

https://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/action-recorder/

It's 2015 and some of us continue to wish for actions in InDesign. I've read the apple scripting tute from start to finish and searched dozens of forums and I still can't accomplish the simplest tasks. Did you ever get it to do what you wanted?

+1 Agreed. It's 2016 and there is still no way to do this? Doesn't Microsoft Word have a macro recorder? How about answering user requests instead of adding feature bloat? Or fixing some bugs? I love Indesign but come on Adobe, listen to your users....

PLEASE!!!  It's a fantastic feature in Microsoft Office - because you can record a Macro so that you don't just have to magically know what all the variables are called, and then edit to your heart's content.

I'm about to place text anchors and hyperlinks for 432 endnotes... IF ONLY I could just record what I was doing one time, then I could easily write a script to repeat. Sigh.

I think I'm going to call Adobe and have them tell me all the variable names I need, and express this desire.

AnticaPress  wrote

 

I think I'm going to call Adobe and have them tell me all the variable names I need, and express this desire.

Good idea! I might, too...

I was able to create a Keyboard shortcut for "embed Link". I think generating your own shortcuts is probably the next best solution besides writing your own scripts.

just cause this is a top google link, I'll post Marc's blog on this for those who would like to do some DIY scripting:

Indiscripts :: How to Implement a Basic Action Listener in InDesign

Make Actions in InDesign (like in Illustrator and Photoshop)

Please more like Photoshop than Illustrator!

I echo the sentiment of everyone else here, but the technicians need a show of hands.

If you would like this feature, please vote on it in the InDesign Uservoice, specifically this request:

Actions Panel – Adobe InDesign Feedback