InDesign to Word conversion...

[NinjaR]

I know InDesign cannot save straight to a .doc file, but is there any sort of plug in that can convert an InDesign file to a Word file?

I know it seems silly and unnecessary to switch from an .indd to a .doc, but for my company's purposes, clients must be able to view both electronic (not pdfs) and printed copies. None of our clients have InDesign on their computers. We cannot assume they all have Adobe Reader, but are confident they have methods of viewing Word files -- which is why the files cannot be pdf copies.

Again, I know it's silly, but business is business. I'd prefer sending pdfs created in InDesign, but it's not my call. Word isn't meant for page layout, of course, and it is much easier for me to lay out pages in ID.

I'd appreciate the help...Word's plethora of inabilities are making me lose my hair, mostly from pulling it out.

 

[jmgalvin]

There's no export to Word because Word cannot handle the intricacies of any layout app. Then there's the BIG problem of fonts. Word cannot embed fonts and the chances of common business users having the right fonts are miniscule.

You can export your ID doc to jpeg and insert each separate jpeg (for each page into a Word doc.

You can also export a pdf and insert each page of the pdf into Word (for some reason, I've seen people on tek-tips say they can't do that but I have no problem at all).

If you do either of the above make sure to manually insert page breaks in the Word doc as applicable.

That said, the chances that your customer companies don't have Adobe Reader are miniscule. It's shipped on just about every new computer. It is required for viewing/downloading many government websites/forms. If they don't have it, you'll be doing them a favor by suggesting that they download this free app. Another problem is that corporate security sometimes does not allow ".doc" attachments just like many ban ".zip" attachments because of the possibilities of malicious code. PDFs have never been known to contain viruses, etc and are generally allowed.

I have never had any customer not be able to open a pdf.



Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[apepp]

...could you send them a jpg rgb perhaps? viewable on any computer in the silly world of business...

all the best!

andrew

 

[NinjaR]

I really wouldn't feel comfortable sending a jpg just because of the potential for viewing errors. It's a solution, but not really one I can use.

Re: sending pdfs...heh, you're preaching to the choir. I've been send pdfs for a while now, but no dice. The policy, I think, is mostly from a misunderstanding of what default software comes with computers these days and too much attention paid to the question, "Well, what if the customer doesn't HAVE READER?!"

(then they're probably not capable of paying us if they're so unprofessional!)

Thanks for the ideas, though. I'm going to keep pushing for pdfs. I didn't think there was a plug in, but it doesn't hurt to ask...been using this forum for a while now to answer all the obscure questions I have and finally had one that hadn't been asked.

 

[jmgalvin]

If you put the pdfs in a Word file, as suggested in the first response, it just becomes a graphic in that word file. Same goes with a jpeg, but resolution could be a problem.



Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[NinjaR]

The issue then becomes doing more work than is necessary. We do create pdfs for printing, but converting and placing them would add more time...it's quicker just to send the Word file. We're not all that concerned with clients manipulating or adjusting Word files.

 

[rossmcd]

I understand your problem but it sounds nuts...MS Word is simply rubbish - low resulotion images, different layout parameters, likely missing fonts on recipients computer. Sounds like a complete mess to me.

Idea for you. Why not simply export your Indesign to pdf (easy) and when you send the email to your clients then you could have a polite link to download a free copy of Adobe Reader.

Strikes me that the MS Word idea will create lots of work and complexities for a much poorer quality output document.

Good luck. Think you may need it.

http://www.flyingstart.biz

 

[NinjaR]

Ha ha...I don't quite understand the reason for Word files, either.

When I worked for an actual publication, we converted to PDF or packaged with every run and I know how ridiculously easy this stuff is.

We actually write the files to a CD and ship hard copies as well at their request. From the *higher ups* perspective, a polite link to Reader isn't so polite. I'm sure you know how that can be. Believe it or not, our clients mostly ask for text-based documents...they don't like seeing too many pictures (reasons withheld because I'd have to write pages explaining what we actually do and who the clients are).

Since I was raised on Quark, PageMaker and ID, I'm tearing my hair out with these text boxes and 6-point paragraph spacing.

I really appreciate you guys' help. Even if there's no solution, it's nice to be able to complain to people who actually know what design is supposed to be.

 

[apepp]

...i have come across a number of pdf to word conversion programs, mostly on pc though i believe, i cannot give you any info on the reliability of these programs though...

...here is a bit on Acrobat 7...

http://www.pdfzone.com/article2/0,1895,1815273,00.asp

andrew

 

[NinjaR]

I've tried using Acrobat to convert to a .doc file...it *sort of* works...which is to say it works remarkably well at recognizing text, but its terrible at graphics placement. Would probably work better if I wasn't using columns and breaks.

I think the original suggestion is right, overall...I'm going to have to grit my teeth and keep at it until we switch over to ID permanently.