Editable Files for our Clients who...

I work at a consulting firm and we want to use InDesign to create documents for our clients. The problem is, they want to be able to edit them when we are done and none of them have InDesign. We've used MS Word in the past since it is more ''universal'' than the Creative Suite products but really need to use InDesign for its layout capabilities and linking features. We can't really encourage our clients (municipalities on tight budgets) to buy the Creative Suite. Any thoughts on how to help us?
Editable Files for our Clients who...
I don't want to come off as harsh, but this topic is a point of frustration for me. I'm one of two ID users working in a corporate environment among many MS Office users. The division between document sophistication and universal edit-ability is already as small as it should ever get. I get this same thing all the time; ''make me a document with characteristics that can't be built using a word processor, but I want to be able to edit it in my word processor.''



Uhhmm, no. If you want/need a functional, editable Word document, build it in Word. That's all there is to it.



Now, in your case, there isn't enough information given here to take that strong a stand. Why do they need edit-ability? Maybe they just need Acrobat. Are these forms they want to fill-in on-screen? Even if they are not forms per se, it's possible you could provide ID layouts in PDF with enough editable components incorporated as form fields. It somewhat depends on subsequent intentions and destinations. Print?



There may be one or more solutions to your problem, but devising one would require more detail.
Editable Files for our Clients who...
After we're finished providing services to our clients, they want to be able to edit the text from a few words to paragraphs or even pages. The problem is, we need to market our documents as digitally interactive with links from the table of contents, to tables, definitions, figures, references etc. Clients are clamoring for more interactive digital documents, so we took our last product made in Word, and I spent far too much time trying to link things in Acrobat Professional. In the end, we provided the client with a Word and PDF version of the document. They will post a version on their webpage and use print versions.



I like the capabilities in InDesign to be able to link as the document is created and not waiting until the end in Acrobat. Plus the obvious bonus of laying things out in a program meant for that. I need to either figure out a way to make this work, or advice for convincing my bosses that we just can't provide our clients with editable documents if they want them ''snazzy.'' Our competitors have fancy PDFs that I know aren't created in Word and must be created in InDesign, thus having the same issues.

Then the client has to have InDesign (along with the proper training to

use it).



That said, Word files can be exported directly to PDF and retain all

their bookmarks and hyperlinks.



Bob

From the perspective of someone with more than thirty years of publication development, twelve of them in corporate environments and more in direct client-service, I agree with both Bob and John. Clients, whether they walk in the door or sit in the next cubicle, want to have their ice cream, eat it too, and then complain about needing a freezer and a spoon.



There is simply no way to produce a document to professional standards, using professional tools, and then allow untrained, everyday users to ''just edit it a little.''



Either you/they use Word - with all its limitations and productivity loss - or they learn InDesign. Simple as that.



As with John, apologies for any harsh edge here. It's not a matter of ''artistic snobbery'' as the accusation in these circumstances often goes; it's a matter of expertise and tool quality. Computer users who have learned a few tricks in Word think that pro-grade layout is just a matter of calling it such.



I could rant at great length here but the choir already knows the words and the tune. I think you do, too. :)

I take no offense to any of this--it's what I expected and I completely agree. I just joined this firm and convinced them to purchase CS4 and am working on converting others in the office. I just need to make the case to the higher-ups now. I can't stand using Word for our line of work which can be image-heavy. I guess I was hoping there may be some miracle solution out there, but figured I'd be grasping at straws.



Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

I haven't heard anyone mention InCopy?



Tad

Doesn't InCopy still require ID to step in at some point for new output? Not much of a solution - they may as well just submit changes to the publications department.



Kathleen - I sympathize. I went into at least three companies that needed to be patiently convinced that the steam-powered, lead-type system they were using was best replaced by proper tools, despite the fact that Suzie Secretary could no longer use them to make refrigerator notices.

That's why I didn't offer it as a suggestion. While you can make the

changes (if the InDesign user has enabled it) the output from InCopy is

for proofing and review only.



Bob