Import an InDesign file

You can import an Adobe InDesign (IDML) file into your book as its own chapter or section.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing to import IDML files:

  • Use one IDML file per book chapter, not one IDML file per book.

  • You can define sections of a chapter in InDesign. For information about defining a section, see Adobe InDesign Help.

  • iBooks Author imports the longest chain of linked text boxes in a file (or section) as the body text of that file or section. Avoid chains of linked text boxes that span multiple sections.

  • In InDesign, you can assign the Script Label “Body” to the text frame you want iBooks Author to import as the body text. Use the Script Label “Body” only once in an IDML file (or section of a file).

  • Avoid importing complex anchored objects. Complex anchored objects may appear different in the completed book.

Import an InDesign file (IDML)

  1. With the book open, do one of the following:

    • Choose Insert Chapter From > InDesign File (IDML), choose the file to import, and click Import.

    • Drag an IDML file to the Book pane.

    Note: You can also create your own template, and import an IDML file into it.

  2. Specify the following import options:

    • Import the text in the file: Select the “Text from the IDML file” checkbox.

    • Import the paragraph and character styles in the file: Select the “Paragraph and character styles” checkbox, and choose a styles option from the pop-up menu.

      To remove unused styles in the file after importing it into iBooks Author, select the “Discard unused styles after import” checkbox.

    • Import the media and graphics in the file: Select the “Media and graphics” checkbox.

  3. Select a layout, and click Import.

    The imported file is added after a selected chapter or section in the Book pane. If no chapter or section is selected, the imported file is added at the end of the book.

    Tip: To replace a font after you import an IDML file, choose Format > Font > Replace a Font.