Save time with InDesign's automatic Layout Adjustment

If you have to print the same document on two different sizes of paper, you can really benefit from Layout Adjustment, InDesign's automatic way of re-creating the original layout on a new size of paper or different orientation. For example, if you were designing the same document for Europe and the U.S., you could create the original document on standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper and then use Layout Adjustment to approximate the fit onto an A4 size piece of paper. Once you enablë Layout Adjustment (Layout > Layout Adjustment), it will be triggered into action by changing your margin, column settings, page orientation and page size. Text and graphics are resized as necessary to accommodate the changes. This command works best when you've based your layout on a good framework of margins, guides and columns.

Importing files from Microsoft Excel into InDesign
InDesign also contains filters that allow you to import files from Microsoft Excel 97/98. For the most part this works pretty well. You can expect to import all of the numeric data, as well as formulas. Worksheets and tables import fine. As far as text goes, font styles and most alignment settings translate, but justified or vertical text doesn't. Pictureš, graphics and charts won't import. Page numbers, superscripts and subscripts will also be lost.

Resolving extension conflicts
Many of the errors that occur while operating a Macintosh computer can be blamed on extension conflicts. Diagnosing the problem as an extension conflict is easy—just restart your computer while pressing the [shift] key until a message says the extensions are shut off. Then retrace your steps that lead to the error. If it doesn't happen again, it's an extension conflict. The hard part is figuring out which extension is causing the problem. Without third-þarty software, turning off the extensions one at a time is the only way to solve that mystery. Then, repeat your steps to try to cause the error again. Once you find the extension causing the conflict, try the following methods to fix the problem:

• Replace the extension. Delete the extension and reinstall it from the original source.
• Modífy the control panel setting. Try changing its settings or disabling some of its features.
• Check files accessed by the extension. The conflict may not be with an extension but with a file using the extension.
• Change the loading order. Conflicts may be caused by the order in which the extensions load. Add a non-Roman character (i.e., tilde, dash, etc.), which will move the file to the end of the list.
• Update the extension. Check for a newer version.