{"id":16379,"date":"2024-02-06T15:04:46","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T14:04:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/?page_id=16379"},"modified":"2026-04-13T17:06:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T15:06:45","slug":"how-to-automate-directory-creation-in-indesign","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/automated-layout\/how-to-automate-directory-creation-in-indesign\/","title":{"rendered":"How to automate directory creation in InDesign"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-violet-accent-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-blanc-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-bf8c93ea3ef9660c3f317439d4e72dba has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"alignwide wp-block-wpseopress-breadcrumbs\"><nav  aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BreadcrumbList\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\" itemprop=\"itemListElement\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ListItem\"><span itemprop=\"name\">Home<\/span><meta itemprop=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-blanc-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3d4e2ae4e2d0ec20852ee030babfc706\">Automated directory publishing with InDesign<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group has-blanc-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Creating a <strong>directory<\/strong> is a complex and time-consuming task. However, you can <strong>simplify the process<\/strong> by using <strong>automated layout in InDesign<\/strong>. This method will help you <strong>avoid <\/strong>mistakes and create your directory much faster.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/01\/EasyCatalog-plug-in-InDesign-facilite-travail-1.png\" alt=\"Woman drawing a mountain landscape on a computer\" class=\"wp-image-834 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group has-blanc-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automatiser-la-crea.png\" alt=\"Man standing next to computer screen displaying user profiles\" class=\"wp-image-2566 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automatiser-la-crea.png 576w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/automatiser-la-crea-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-violet-accent\">Why automate your directory creation in InDesign?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most businesses follow a traditional workflow: designers create different layout templates for contact details, then manually <strong>copy and paste<\/strong> the entire dataset into the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, this manual process can create <strong>errors<\/strong> and significantly increases proofreading time. The repetitive switching between the source database and the InDesign layout often results in tiny mistakes and can lead to the discouragement of graphic designers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Automating your InDesign layout<\/strong> eliminates the need for manual copying and pasting by making the entire process automatic.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group has-blanc-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-violet-accent has-violet-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-431c5c063e76efaab00cc93e565e6c80\">Understanding the automated workflow in InDesign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This automation is made possible by <strong>EasyCatalog<\/strong>, an InDesign plug-in designed to automate layout processes. It enables the effortless generation of <strong>directories, catalogs, and product specs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With EasyCatalog, you can link your InDesign document to your database containing all your information (such as an Excel or CSV file). This connection allows you to automatically insert your data into <strong>templates<\/strong>, pre-designed layouts created by graphic designers. From there, you can automatically generate as many directory pages as you need in just a few seconds or minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The link established between your source database and your InDesign document is <strong>bidirectional<\/strong>. This means that any changes made to your database can be automatically updated in your InDesign file. It also works <strong>the other way around<\/strong>, from your InDesign file back to your data source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/automated-layout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download EasyCatalog<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/interactiv-publisher\/easycatalog-demonstration-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Request a demo<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"915\" height=\"649\" src=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/fonctionnement-automatisation.png\" alt=\"Person carrying a document with other documents floating in front of her\" class=\"wp-image-2568 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/fonctionnement-automatisation.png 915w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/fonctionnement-automatisation-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/fonctionnement-automatisation-768x545.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 915px) 100vw, 915px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group has-blanc-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"916\" height=\"792\" src=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/interet-dune-automatisation.png\" alt=\"Woman sitting and adjusting the hands of a big alarm clock\" class=\"wp-image-2570 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/interet-dune-automatisation.png 916w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/interet-dune-automatisation-300x259.png 300w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/interet-dune-automatisation-768x664.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-violet-accent\">What&#8217;s the point in such an automatisation ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Automating your directories in InDesign offers a multitude of benefits. Indeed, this solution is highly effective, particularly for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reducing the risk of errors<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Save time<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Simplify edits and corrections<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quickly update your data, whether in your InDesign document or your database<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Facilitating the creation of other documents\u2026<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group has-blanc-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-violet-accent\">What to do once the automated pages are generated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Automation allows graphic designers to save a significant amount of time compared to traditional methods. As a result, they can <strong>focus on the design and aesthetics<\/strong> of the document: adjusting directory pages and readjusting frames where necessary, or filling white spaces with images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They will also need to <strong>insert specific pages<\/strong> for the directory, such as the front and back covers (which cannot be automated).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once these steps are completed, the directory is finished and can be updated quickly and easily whenever you need. Indeed, if contact details change in your data source, designers simply need to <strong>refresh the InDesign file<\/strong> via a quick synchronization to bring the directory up to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/automated-layout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download EasyCatalog for free<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/automated-layout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Discover EasyCatalog in details<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/post-pages-automatisees-1024x798.png\" alt=\"Woman standing among flowers and looking at geometric shapes\" class=\"wp-image-2573 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/post-pages-automatisees-1024x798.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/post-pages-automatisees-300x234.png 300w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/post-pages-automatisees-768x599.png 768w, https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/02\/post-pages-automatisees.png 1219w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Automated directory publishing with InDesign Creating a directory is a complex and time-consuming task. However, you can simplify the process by using automated layout in InDesign. This method will help you avoid mistakes and create your directory much faster. Why automate your directory creation in InDesign? Most businesses follow a traditional workflow: designers create different [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":5394,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_it_page_product":"ITPublisher","_it_call_to_action":["{\"text\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}","{\"text\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}","{\"text\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}","{\"text\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-16379","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16379"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16439,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16379\/revisions\/16439"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactiv-technologies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}