How to automate work in InDesign

20.03.2025

Global organizations often face complex desktop publishing and localization challenges. At InText, we help enterprises overcome them through advanced automation tools and deep expertise in InDesign.

Our newest tool enables enterprise-level automation for processing InDesign files across large content repositories. With a single click, our script analyzes all files within a folder — including nested subfolders — and generates detailed reports covering:

Missing fonts – crucial for accurate rendering in languages with special characters
Broken links – ensures all images display correctly in localized versions
Page count – provides accurate input for estimating translation costs
Hidden spreads – confirms whether translation is required
Track changes – flags unresolved edits that may disrupt CAT tool workflows
Linked files (ICML, INDD, XLSX) – identifies for separate processing
Interactive elements – highlights buttons, forms, and drop-downs for pre-translation review
Pasteboard content – evaluates to confirm whether it should be included in the translation scope
Conditional text – checks for visibility and translation relevance
Tables of contents and alphabetical indexes – verifies to ensure inclusion during formatting
Parent pages and layers – reviews (in collaboration with the client) to determine whether translation is required, as unused elements may still be sent for translation

Our tool supports both file-level and consolidated reporting, dramatically reducing the time required for InDesign project estimation and allowing for faster, more accurate quoting.

We develop automation tools not only for internal use but also as tailored solutions for our clients. Our goal is to help global teams reduce manual effort, ensure consistency, and speed up time to market for multilingual content.