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seems like a silly question but is the "new document" window the only way to create a new document from scratch? i.e. using the presets or type your own size..

i'm not a graphic design, i'm self taught with adobe but frequently have to design something with photoshop/indesign at work. i'm often given pdf template for print or have a PSD background to use in indesign. is it not possible to create a new document using the PDF or a PSD file? currently to make anything in indesign i first have to open photoshop, import either the PDF template or open the PSD background file, get the dimensions of these and then type these dimensions into indesign. it's not a huge problem but it is a pain having to do this every time! seems quite silly i need to use photoshop to make the correct size document in indesign...

i've tried googling and searching here but not seeing a definitive answer or solution, either that or im not using the correct search terms..

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Yes, the new document window is the only way to create a document.

Ok, you can also create new documents via Javascript, but I don't think you're looking for that.

No, you cannot drag PSD or JPG or anything else into InDesign and assume InDesign will create a new document with the size of the file you're dragging. No such native feature.

By default, InDesign will only open INDD files, everything else is placed (linked) after a new document has already been created.

Something you can do is create a document of whatever size, drag your PSD on the page, then adjust the page size in InDesign based on the placed PSD, using the 'Page Tool' and ALT+dragging the page edges to fit the linked PSD.

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  • Ok thanks for the clarification. ah yes the page tool is what i was hoping for however i just tried it and the page snaps back to its original size? am i missing something?
    – robhfs
    Commented Jan 28, 2020 at 19:58
  • Instead of dragging, try entering the numbers into the dimension box after you select a page with the page tool.
    – superluminal
    Commented Jan 28, 2020 at 20:03
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    Actually dragging is fine, but you need to hold ALT while dragging, so the page doesn't snap back to its original size.
    – lmlmlm
    Commented Jan 28, 2020 at 20:18
  • Perfect, thank you Lucian!
    – robhfs
    Commented Jan 29, 2020 at 1:23
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While you can open AI files in Photoshop and vice-versae, there are no native ways to accomplish this in InDesign. The client would need to supply an actual indesign file or template for you to open it.

There is a piece of software from Markzware that will allow you to open PDFs as InDesign files, but I'm a bit wary of these style of tools. https://markzware.com/products/pdf2dtp/

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