Exporting to a PDF Without Hidden Layers

[connord78075528]

I'm trying to export an InDesign file to a PDF without hidden layers. Right now, whenever I export to a PDF, a bunch of extra invisible text is also exported and it messes with our searchability. The text is invisible in the PDF, but when you do a CTRL+F the hidden text shows up.

For example, we have a master InDesign file with all of our offices (50+) contact information in it. We then reference it in other InDesign files when we want to include our company contact information for that office. However, when the InDesign is exported, the invisible information is also included and the contact info for a bunch of other offices is still somewhere in the PDF.

Is there a way to export from InDesign into a PDF that would not include that other hidden information?

[Laubender]

Hi connord78075528 ,

select all objects on all layers you want to hide and make them non-printable.

Regards,
Uwe

[Sjaani]

Which version of InDesign are you using and what operating system are you on?

I've just done a quick test using Notes or Layers to hide text and neither is visible or searchable in a PDF.

Can you supply an InDesign screenshot showing how you have the hidden text set up in the layers.

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi Sjaani ,

I also tested this. Text will be still there if you export with Acrobat Layers enabled.

I assume our OP, connord78075528,  needs a layered PDF like that:

Note: If Acrobat Layers are enabled ALL layers are exported. Also the hidden ones. Even if you set property Export Layers to Visible Layers Only.

To prevent that objects on the hidden layers are exported you have to set all objects on that layers to non-printing with InDesign.

You have to do that spread by spread in the InDesign document, because you cannot select all objects on a layer document wide if there is more than one spread. A script could help to automate that task.

Regards,
Uwe

[Steve Werner]

Note to choose Enable Acrobat Layers, at the top of the dialog you need to choose Compatibility: Acrobat 7 or higher.

[connord78075528]

Hi Laubender  I appreciate the response, and this looks like it could work, however, I was looking for something more simple and less labor intensive. It is not realistic for our team to manually hide all unnecessary objects on the layer document for the number of reports we do, then unhide one by one for the objects we want visible on export. The layer document is being linked to many, many other InDesigns and we can't edit the layer document each time for each one.

Is there really no, bullet proof Export option that will hide the hidden text? When you select "Export Layers: Visible Layers" it still includes text that is not visible in the InDesign.

Here are my export settings for reference:

Is there something we can do to the PDFs afterwards that will eliminate hidden text? A compression tool maybe? I would like the visible text to remain searchable, but remove any of the hidden text.

Thanks!

[Laubender]

connord78075528  wrote

…Is there really no, bullet proof Export option that will hide the hidden text? When you select "Export Layers: Visible Layers" it still includes text that is not visible in the InDesign. …

Hi,

unfortunately I see no other way. At least if you absolutely need the feature Create Acrobat Layers.

If you don't then all will be very easy. Why do you need layers in the exported PDF?

Regards,
Uwe

[Lordrhavin]

And still people pay for this.

[Eugenio.NYC]

Hi

Are you opening the pdf with Acrobat or with the windows viewer?

Best

E