: InDesign: interactive catalogue to order products from? Is it possible to build something like this in InDesign? A client is asking me, i already said its probably impossible and sounds like

@Caterina889

It's possible yes. But it's not really an effective way to get orders. As you posted, a web site is much more feasible, in addition to being device/software agnostic in general.

I actually had a client want something similar.

To use InDesign you'd have to export to a PDF with form fields for the quantities. Then set up a javascript to calculate the totals. To email anything from the PDF you have to sign up for Adobe LiveCycle and pay for that. Otherwise the PDF won't email anything anywhere. Without LiveCycle, you have to somehow instruct the user to fill in the fields and save the PDF, then attach it to an email -- users will not do this correctly 99.5% of the time.

Then if you need to update anything.... rework the PDF forms, ensure the javascript is picking up everything, etc. Even if you use data merge to bring in the XLS product data, the form fields have to be configured.

In the end, it's just a LOT of effort for mediocre usage. Time is better spent on a web site, or even an app. Especially if the goal is just to send the order data and not run any type of payment gateway (which is impossible via the InDesign route anyway).

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