Trying to duplicate a layout from another program

[Susan_Hoffman]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

This question comes up a lot. I create a layout using InDesign and the client wishes to receive it as a Word document so they can customize text data.

How can I insert/place graphics that don't make other elements bump off the page? I'd like these elements to be precisely placed.

Is there a way to create a 'letterhead'-type shell where the layout elements are locked and won't interfere with added text such as the body of a letter?

Any basic information about trying to create custom layouts would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Elliott Roper]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

This question comes up a lot. I create a layout using InDesign and the client
wishes to receive it as a Word document so they can customize text data.

How can I insert/place graphics that don't make other elements bump off the
page? I'd like these elements to be precisely placed.

Is there a way to create a 'letterhead'-type shell where the layout elements
are locked and won't interfere with added text such as the body of a letter?

Any basic information about trying to create custom layouts would be appreciated.

Thank you!

I do this a lot. There is basically no way to go from InDesign to Word
and back leaving it editable with the layout preserved.

You could try with text boxes but the game is not worth the candle.

My technique is to hand off a PDF of work in progress to the client
together with a Word document for each of the text containers. By
carefully defining the styles in both InDesign and Word it is not too
onerous to slurp their corrections back into inDesign.

Although if they can handle a plain text editor it is slightly less
hassle. Not least because it stops them getting typographic ideas above
their station.

It is a royal pain when so much text comes back you have to change the
layout. But that's what you get paid for isn't it?

You could always teach them LaTeX <grin>