Hi Lisa, thanks so much for this wonderful video. Just wanted to add a comment as I learnt this recently and I hope it will be a help to everyone. Where you were having trouble selecting the pasted boxes, and accidentally grabbing the content underneath (on the right), you can select the background content, hold down Command (on a Mac) and press the letter L to lock that content. To release the background content, hold down Option + Command and press the letter L again. You can also group things and lock them. : )
Lisa thank you so much for this wonderful video! I was stuck trying to create an interactive form and this video was of so much help. Question: why did you lay the 2nd set of boxes on top of the ones you first created?
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I'm having the same issue you had at 5:10 in the video. It seems crazy you can't select multiple boxes and apply a Check Box to them. Did you figure out a way to do it by any chance? I'm having to go back and make a form fillable that was design in InDesign for print. Thank you!
Hi Matt: No, I did not find a way to make it work. I know, right - it's been like half a decade but you still have to select them one by one. Seems crazy. XO Lisa
Great video, thank you very much. Just a thought: in Mac you can hold down the option key, select an item and drag it to create a copy. Much easier than the copy command you're doing that throws the copies on the other side and then it's hard to drag them. :)
And if you hold shift after starting dragging, the object will move in a straight line. Less important now that id has smart guides, but still useful at times.
Hi, Thank you for this tutorial as it was very informative. However, on the section where you made a copy of your checkboxes you stated there is a reason for that but you did not cover it. Thank you.
Thanks for the exporting as interactive pdf tip. The export for print menu - which is my go-to default because of all the vital stuff in there - has plenty of options for including interactivity, but for some reason the checkboxes don't work along well with that.
Hi there Wildflower Soul: That sounds like a great idea but the tech just isn't there yet to allow you to create that. At least not in Indesign. XO Lisa
Look around 5:19 at the lower right corner of the forms and buttons panel. That option says 'selected by default'. If you select that, the box in the exported pdf will have a tick in it, that the user can untick.
It's a highlighting feature of Acrobat/Reader. Go to your Acrobat/Reader , click Edit>Preferences> Forms, Highlight colour "Fields highlight colour." You can turn it off by un-checking the preferences "Show border hover colour for the fields. "
Once I've exported the indesign file and opened it up on my computer. I'll check some boxes & hit save. When I reopen the boxes none of the check marks are there. I have interactive text fields in the doc as well -- that comes up & I can add to it, not problem. But anytime I re-open the doc all the check mark boxes are empty (even id previously checked and saved). Hopefully this makes sense. Any tips?
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns Damn, that's a shame. I noticed you can get a different style (star, black box etc) bu that only goes for the first box you tick, it will change to that ugly check mark as soon as you click anywhere else. Which is kinda silly for AA designing software if you ask me. UPDATE: the styling I mentioned gets overruled by Adobe Reader. So it's not InDesign's fault! Apple Preview, Google Chrome and Safari do not override the styling and don't show the blue marking on interactive elements either. So it's possible to style checkmarks, but this has limited use as long as Adobe Reader remains the standard for opening pdf files :/
Hi Ygor: I don't think it has built-in logic ability like a form on Google Forms or on Facebook. I think it's either a checkbox or it's not. I suppose you could try radio buttons those are usually only once choice options but I've never tried that in Indesign. XO Lisa
Hi Delane: You'd just leave some blank space inside your line of text and place the box there. It's not like adding a letter to a line of text. It's an object so you can add it anywhere but for aesthetics, you'll simply hit the spacebar a few times to make room for your checkbox. Same thing with the table - you can place it anywhere as an object - it's not a letter where you click one key and then it appears. Hope that helps. XOXO Lisa
If you want to have it flow along with your text, you can cut any object (including a checkbox) and paste it inside your textbox, at the current position of your text cursor. However, be warned that this may do interesting things with your line height and such - make sure there's more line height than what the object needs, if you want to keep the text looking smooth. The object will usually sit too high (the lowest edge not passing the text's baseline): this can be solved by selecting the text-space the object is in and then shifting the baseline. Also be warned that if you work in a design team and someone else picks up your project, they may not expect an object to 'be unmovable' and may scream at you. In other words, take a little time to explain what you did - and why - in such cases ;)
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns I'm trying to create a box with a white background like the one you did. But when I open the document in Adobe acrobate reader after exporting I always get a box in a dark shade of blue. Any suggestions to solve this problem? Thank you :)
@@kaoutherakid4433 That's an Adobe Reader preference setting. As are the ugly checkmarks when you chose another check box style. No way to control that from id, sadly. Apple Preview doesn't override the styling like Adobe Reader does, that's how I know.
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns Ah, so THAT's what that extra copy was for! I would suggest this is a bad practise though. As mentioned, Adobe Reader overrides the tick styling (and judging from your comment, also places it on top). But other software may not work that way (Preview, Chrome, Safari), leaving you with a checkmark behind a coloured box, in other words no checkmark at all. Look around 5:40 at the buttons and forms panel, the section called Appearance: - Select the state you wish to style (Normal On or Normal Off) - Use the direct select tool to select one of the parts of your checkbox - Style it Whether Adobe Reader keeps your work intact is debatable at best though. Wish they wouldn't override interactive element styles.
Hi Stephen: Yes, it can! But you'll need to download and install a plug in for InDesign to obtain that functionality. Try this one --> > www.woodwing.com/en/smart-styles-adobe-indesign-plugin Let me know if it works for you! XOXO Lisa
Hello Lisa, thanks again for that plug in suggestion as i will play with that this week. I have another question related to Indesign if you don't mind answering. I will be creating a natural health supplement catalog in Indesign and would love to knock it out of the park with interactivity and appeal. Do you have any plugin suggestions or tips or a related video on youtube that would inspire ideas? I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but you are very good at what you do.
Hi Stephen: Glad you're finding this channel helpful. A Natural Health Supplement Catalog sounds great - for sure it will look beautiful if you're doing the layout in InDesign. It's so much more versatile than using Canva or MS Word. When it comes to ideas for inspiration and creativity - it's really important to do a ton of research. I love doing unboxings on my channel every Saturday but that's because I'm always buying new planners and journals to see what's out there and what's trending in the market. If you're really serious about doing a professional design and layout, I created a Branding course specific to planners and notebooks you can sign up for at lisasiefert.thinkific.com/courses/branding101 Hope that helps! XOXO Lisa
You should have indicated that it does only work for Apple viewer. Acrobat won't take into account your preferences and you'll get an ugly blue box on top.
This video is the definition of a good tutorial. After 5 years it still works. Fast and very simple. THANK YOU VERY MUCH 🙏
Hi Lisa, thanks so much for this wonderful video. Just wanted to add a comment as I learnt this recently and I hope it will be a help to everyone. Where you were having trouble selecting the pasted boxes, and accidentally grabbing the content underneath (on the right), you can select the background content, hold down Command (on a Mac) and press the letter L to lock that content. To release the background content, hold down Option + Command and press the letter L again. You can also group things and lock them. : )
I am working on a Nutritional Quiz in Indesign and wanted to make it interactive. I'm glad i found your channel! Thanks!!!
Hi Stephen: That sounds fun - I'm glad you found my channel, too. Hooray! XOXO Lisa
Thank you so much! This was driving me nuts. Turns out I'd missed the bit about exporting as an interactive pdf. Thank you!
Hi Mr. Motley - Super - glad I could help! Lisa
Thanks a lot! :) sadly all checkboxes and text forms are blue as soon as i export it :/ do you know i i can get rid of that ?
Hello! Why do i have a blue box when i export my check boxes and how can i get rid of it?
Hey Lisa, muito obrigada pelo vídeo, me ajudou muito. Sou do Brasil! Thank you! Obrigada!
Lisa thank you so much for this wonderful video! I was stuck trying to create an interactive form and this video was of so much help. Question: why did you lay the 2nd set of boxes on top of the ones you first created?
Same question!
my boxes look blue when I open the pdf in acrobat.. any way to avoid that and retain the look?
wow, the Jingle Loudness just made me change my pants. Would be cool the voice and music on the same level :D
Alt/Opt + Click and Drag a frame, text frame, shape, etc. to duplicate it on mouse release.
You don't need to do CTR+C and CTRL+V! you should hold ALT+SHIFT and duplicate and drag the object straight down at the same time!
thank you - it was driving me insane watching her do this
Your videos are so helpful! Thank you so much!!
The checks are very very faint grey. Not black like yours! How do I change that?
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I'm having the same issue you had at 5:10 in the video. It seems crazy you can't select multiple boxes and apply a Check Box to them. Did you figure out a way to do it by any chance? I'm having to go back and make a form fillable that was design in InDesign for print. Thank you!
Hi Matt: No, I did not find a way to make it work. I know, right - it's been like half a decade but you still have to select them one by one. Seems crazy. XO Lisa
Great video, thank you very much. Just a thought: in Mac you can hold down the option key, select an item and drag it to create a copy. Much easier than the copy command you're doing that throws the copies on the other side and then it's hard to drag them. :)
you mean adobe came up with a way so that i dont have to struggle to grab the copy EVERY TIME? PRAISE YOU for the tip!
And if you hold shift after starting dragging, the object will move in a straight line. Less important now that id has smart guides, but still useful at times.
This Worked! Thank You!
Hi, Thank you for this tutorial as it was very informative. However, on the section where you made a copy of your checkboxes you stated there is a reason for that but you did not cover it. Thank you.
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial; if you don't mind guiding us to a tutorial on how to create lines for the daily Task list, that would be great.
Thanks for the exporting as interactive pdf tip. The export for print menu - which is my go-to default because of all the vital stuff in there - has plenty of options for including interactivity, but for some reason the checkboxes don't work along well with that.
Im creating an interactive habit tracker, i want to be able to just color the boxes instead of checking them. How do i do that pls, anyone?
Hi there Wildflower Soul: That sounds like a great idea but the tech just isn't there yet to allow you to create that. At least not in Indesign. XO Lisa
Thanks mam
This is why we use layers.
Hi Lisa, thanks to you, I am able to do my checkboxes. Now, is there a way to reverse the feature by letting us to untick the checkbox?
Hi Bong: Yes, you can undo anything in InDesign or on the final version of the PDF. XOXO Lisa
Look around 5:19 at the lower right corner of the forms and buttons panel. That option says 'selected by default'.
If you select that, the box in the exported pdf will have a tick in it, that the user can untick.
@@zJoriz Great, thanks a lot!
awesome! thank you
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Hi Jan: Glad you found it helpful! XOXO Lisa
Why did you overlay a second set of boxes over the checked ones?
Hi there: You can definitely do without the first set of boxes but there's no border so it would be impossible to see where the box is. XOXO Lisa
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns Ahhhh-haaa!! I was wondering the same thing. Why couldn't you do a color and an outline?
Good tutorial. However, my checkboxes appear with a blue fill in the final PDF - any idea why?
It's a highlighting feature of Acrobat/Reader.
Go to your Acrobat/Reader , click Edit>Preferences> Forms, Highlight colour "Fields highlight colour." You can turn it off by un-checking the preferences "Show border hover colour for the fields. "
@@sophiewesterna7447 Thank you so much!!! It has taken me so long to find this answer!
What is the easiest way to have a double layer? e.g.. Tick an Cross (for when items were not given to us we want to add a red X)
Once I've exported the indesign file and opened it up on my computer. I'll check some boxes & hit save. When I reopen the boxes none of the check marks are there. I have interactive text fields in the doc as well -- that comes up & I can add to it, not problem. But anytime I re-open the doc all the check mark boxes are empty (even id previously checked and saved). Hopefully this makes sense. Any tips?
I'm having the same issue!!
I found that when I export, if I changed it to All pages instead of Range it would work.
thank you.
Very useful tip, thank you. Have a like :D
Hi Lisa Good Morning
Can you launch all options step by step with chapter wise
Is there any way to change the style/format of the tick?
Hi Timothy: Not that I know of. I'm pretty sure you're stuck with the default. XO Lisa
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns Damn, that's a shame. I noticed you can get a different style (star, black box etc) bu that only goes for the first box you tick, it will change to that ugly check mark as soon as you click anywhere else. Which is kinda silly for AA designing software if you ask me.
UPDATE: the styling I mentioned gets overruled by Adobe Reader. So it's not InDesign's fault! Apple Preview, Google Chrome and Safari do not override the styling and don't show the blue marking on interactive elements either. So it's possible to style checkmarks, but this has limited use as long as Adobe Reader remains the standard for opening pdf files :/
How to make it so yopu can only check one box?
Hi Ygor: I don't think it has built-in logic ability like a form on Google Forms or on Facebook. I think it's either a checkbox or it's not. I suppose you could try radio buttons those are usually only once choice options but I've never tried that in Indesign. XO Lisa
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns the radio buttons worked, thanks a lot!
@@YgorCortes Fantastic, Ygor! Glad to hear it worked! XO Lisa
Hi. How would I create a checkbox within a line of text? Or in a table?
Hi Delane: You'd just leave some blank space inside your line of text and place the box there. It's not like adding a letter to a line of text. It's an object so you can add it anywhere but for aesthetics, you'll simply hit the spacebar a few times to make room for your checkbox. Same thing with the table - you can place it anywhere as an object - it's not a letter where you click one key and then it appears. Hope that helps. XOXO Lisa
If you want to have it flow along with your text, you can cut any object (including a checkbox) and paste it inside your textbox, at the current position of your text cursor.
However, be warned that this may do interesting things with your line height and such - make sure there's more line height than what the object needs, if you want to keep the text looking smooth. The object will usually sit too high (the lowest edge not passing the text's baseline): this can be solved by selecting the text-space the object is in and then shifting the baseline.
Also be warned that if you work in a design team and someone else picks up your project, they may not expect an object to 'be unmovable' and may scream at you. In other words, take a little time to explain what you did - and why - in such cases ;)
Paste in Place will help you
How do you change the color of the INSIDE of the boxes?
Hi there, you can change the color by overlaying a box on top and changing the fill color of that box. XOXO Lisa
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns I'm trying to create a box with a white background like the one you did. But when I open the document in Adobe acrobate reader after exporting I always get a box in a dark shade of blue. Any suggestions to solve this problem? Thank you :)
@@kaoutherakid4433 That's an Adobe Reader preference setting. As are the ugly checkmarks when you chose another check box style. No way to control that from id, sadly. Apple Preview doesn't override the styling like Adobe Reader does, that's how I know.
@@PrettyFabulousDesigns Ah, so THAT's what that extra copy was for! I would suggest this is a bad practise though.
As mentioned, Adobe Reader overrides the tick styling (and judging from your comment, also places it on top). But other software may not work that way (Preview, Chrome, Safari), leaving you with a checkmark behind a coloured box, in other words no checkmark at all.
Look around 5:40 at the buttons and forms panel, the section called Appearance:
- Select the state you wish to style (Normal On or Normal Off)
- Use the direct select tool to select one of the parts of your checkbox
- Style it
Whether Adobe Reader keeps your work intact is debatable at best though. Wish they wouldn't override interactive element styles.
It don't work in goodnotes :(
Hmmm....I'll look into that.
Hello! Is there a feature in Indesign where the sum of "checked boxes" can be auto-calculated???
Hi Stephen: Yes, it can! But you'll need to download and install a plug in for InDesign to obtain that functionality. Try this one --> > www.woodwing.com/en/smart-styles-adobe-indesign-plugin Let me know if it works for you! XOXO Lisa
Thank you so much!!! I will let you know!
Hello Lisa, thanks again for that plug in suggestion as i will play with that this week. I have another question related to Indesign if you don't mind answering. I will be creating a natural health supplement catalog in Indesign and would love to knock it out of the park with interactivity and appeal. Do you have any plugin suggestions or tips or a related video on youtube that would inspire ideas? I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but you are very good at what you do.
Hi Stephen: Glad you're finding this channel helpful. A Natural Health Supplement Catalog sounds great - for sure it will look beautiful if you're doing the layout in InDesign. It's so much more versatile than using Canva or MS Word.
When it comes to ideas for inspiration and creativity - it's really important to do a ton of research. I love doing unboxings on my channel every Saturday but that's because I'm always buying new planners and journals to see what's out there and what's trending in the market.
If you're really serious about doing a professional design and layout, I created a Branding course specific to planners and notebooks you can sign up for at lisasiefert.thinkific.com/courses/branding101 Hope that helps! XOXO Lisa
Thank you so much Lisa!!
thanks
You should have indicated that it does only work for Apple viewer. Acrobat won't take into account your preferences and you'll get an ugly blue box on top.
Difficult to see the text/portion from mobile device. Not so helpful. If you can zoom the portion that you are working on it'll be helpful i guess.