InDesign. Variable info... possible??

[wicky]

I have been asked by a client to produce a range of adverts (generic service ad's, recruitment ad's, etc), that they can update the text in themselves. They're PC based, and don't have access to proper design software... and wouldn't know where to start if they had.

The obvious debate about good typography, etc., aside, I would like to produce adverts that have an area of dynamic/variable content, that ideally could be updated using a very simple text editor or M$-Word.

Does anybody know if it is possible to achieve this, and if so how I would go about it?

Thanks, in advance.

[fryke]

I don't think it's possible. Not without access to InDesign.

[ElDiabloConCaca]

You could make an editable PDF and they could edit the text of the PDFs with Acrobat Professional, as long as they had the same fonts installed on their system as the PDF uses... but, since they're using PCs, it's tough to find a font that will work on both systems flawlessly.

Basically, I gotta concur with Fryke -- there isn't any easy way of allowing someone to edit an InDesign document who doesn't have InDesign.

[fryke]

They'd still need Acrobat Pro (which isn't free exactly, either), and you can not edit the text as you would in InDesign. Text would not automatically reflow etc., you know... I'd say it's worth considering InDesign itself. Yes, it has its price, but you can work with layers (lock any layers besides the text layers) so all they would have to do is actually use the text tool.

[wicky]

Thanks for the response.

Originally Posted by ElDiabloConCaca

... but, since they're using PCs, it's tough to find a font that will work on both systems flawlessly.

I suppose I could generate a True Type PC version of the font being used, but it's still less than perfect.... and I'm thinking frought with potential problems.

The client buying InDesign isn't too much of a problem, learning it however, would be a VERY different story. I've been trying to teach them how to use the CMS for the website, and after that experience I really wouldn't want to tackle more complex software & certainly not the intricacies of typography.

What about XML? Would that offer any solutions?

[mdnky]

How much of the text is going to be updated? How important is style and what type of style are you going for here?

[Natobasso]

Sell your services and tell them it's easier for you to just spend a 1/2 hour (or hour if that's your minimum rate) of billable time to avoid all the hassle and produce the ads yourself.

[Natobasso]

And now some real information:
http://www.adobe.com/products/indesi...ervermain.html