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How to Add Scripts in InDesign

Published in InDesign Scripting 3 mins read

Adding scripts in Adobe InDesign is a straightforward process primarily involving placing the script file in the designated Scripts folder. Once placed, the script will appear in InDesign's Scripts panel, ready for use.

The Core Method: Adding Files to the Scripts Folder

The fundamental way to add a script in InDesign, according to the provided reference, is to add the script file to the scripts folder so that it shows up in the Scripts panel.

This means you need to locate or create a specific folder within your InDesign application directory and place the script file (which typically has a .jsx, .jsxbin, .js, or .vbs extension) inside it.

Locating or Creating the Scripts Folder

InDesign looks for script files in particular locations. One such location is directly within the InDesign application's installation folder.

As an example provided in the reference, the scripts folder might be located inside your InDesign application folder, following a path similar to this:

/Applications/Adobe\\ InDesign\\ 2023\\ (Prerelease-Debug)/Scripts

(Note: The exact path might vary slightly depending on your InDesign version, operating system, and installation location. The example path provided is specific to a 'Prerelease-Debug' version mentioned in the reference.)

Steps to Add a Script:

  1. Locate the InDesign application folder: Find the main folder where your Adobe InDesign application is installed.
  2. Look for a 'Scripts' folder: Inside the InDesign application folder, check if a folder named Scripts already exists.
  3. Create the 'Scripts' folder if necessary: If the Scripts folder does not already exist in this location, you must create it.
  4. Place your script file: Copy or move the script file(s) you want to add into this newly found or created Scripts folder.

Accessing Scripts in InDesign

After placing the script file(s) in the correct Scripts folder, restart InDesign if it was open. The scripts should now appear within the Scripts panel (Window > Utilities > Scripts or Window > Automation > Scripts, depending on your InDesign version and workspace). You can then double-click a script in the panel to run it.

This method ensures that your scripts are available for use directly within the InDesign application interface via the Scripts panel.

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