Create interactive rollover buttons in Adobe InDesign

[@sammyclegg]

Hi Angelo, thanks for the great tutorials about creating an interactive PDF from indesign. It has changed my working life for the better. I had no idea you could do things like this with indesign until one of my clients asked me for an interactive PDF at which I spluttered and tripped over my words saying yes I am sure that we can deliver that no problem. I have to say it took me a few hours to get my head around actions and what to cross and what to show/not show but as I got more into it and after a few of your tutorials I have produced something that is a good, basic first stab and fit for purpose that I can use the knowledge on my next job. I work as a graphic designer for a very large Nuclear remediation plant in the UK so as we are moving into a more digital, socials place this will make a boring PDF into an exciting one... Yay

[@richardbarclay9095]

Excellent tutorial, clear and easy to understand. I also really liked the way you stipulated that the animation feature will not work with interactive pdfs. Great job :)

[@AngeloMontilla]

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks Richard.

[@kyukyu71]

It's great to learn here, I like Indesign better than other Adobe software.

[@scadoosh4421]

Thank you so much! This was really clear and easy to follow. You are opening up a world of new opportunities for me using this tutorial. Thank so so much!

[@AngeloMontilla]

You're very welcome. I am glad to hear it helped!

[@shreeramnadkarni]

@@AngeloMontilla I am facing an error while publishing online. Can you please advise

[@acampillo]

Second day you save for me! 😁 These tutorials are pure gold, thank you so much. Plus, I'm enjoying doing these type of designs so much!! It's really satisfying seeing them work in the end!

[@aubreyscavone1959]

This should have wayyy more views. Such a useful tutorial for spicing up layout!

[@sheenap214]

Actually had a question as to whether this would work in a PDF, and you answered it so thank you! Reminds me of my web design days...

[@jozvandenberg6928]

Very Good! your explanation is loud and clear. THX!!!!!!!!! for the great tutorial

[@AngeloMontilla]

Glad it was helpful!

[@justinco7741]

I have been following your tutorials and haven't even said thank you!, Thank you!

[@AngeloMontilla]

Glad you have enjoyed them! Thanks!

[@brit5x]

Feels good to be a 1000th liker. Subscribed too! Thank you for this solution. It was much needed from my end.

[@jurgenriehle6652]

Thanks, Angelo. Really clear and helpful! Great job!

[@susanagween432]

You did so good in putting this simple and easy!

[@tranhieu59]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@RW.MOMOON]

Useful and Interesting as usual! :-D I have a question! Could you let me know how it can be that rollover on image then, start video at same location? Thank you in advance!

[@villaava8468]

Quá tuyệt, bây giờ tôi mới được tìm hiểu sâu tới InDesign nó khá nhiều thứ thú vị! Cảm ơn

[@sureshdasari-fitnessfreak1074]

You are just Amazing!!!....Explaining every bit of the activity you performs. Great!!!! Looking head for some more videos.

[@AngeloMontilla]

You're very kind and thank you for watching! Stay tuned there are many InDesign tutorials to come!

[@sureshdasari-fitnessfreak1074]

@@AngeloMontilla I created an interactive pdf with roll over effect. I have one question regarding roll over, suppose once i'm done with all roll over attendees. The last roll over info remains on display. Is there any trick/idea by which we can go to initial stage like all info section blank? Please let me know if you got my point.

[@lifeasiknowit89]

Look at this guy growing his channel....

[@CoffeeScribe]

You're so nice. Really enjoyed the information. Thanks a million!

[@IWaardyI]

This is super informative , thankyou for the great video. Do you have any tips for making the reader aware of interactive components or ensuring that the reader knows what things are Interactive on the page and what are not? I'm looking into using InDesign publish online for my honours design thesis, but am worried that the reviewer may miss some of the material because they are unaware the element was interactive.

[@MARIOCHRISTOFORIDESDESIGNER]

Dear Angelo is there any possibility to download it as well except from previewing. Thank YOU so so much

[@AngeloMontilla]

Yes, but some of the features won't work in PDF if that's what you're asking. You can download a EPub (Fixed Layout) file and view it in an e-reader too.

[@shafeequeabdulrahman8351]

Thanks for sharing, very informative

[@franciscojauregui6634]

any way to make the pop up elements go away. as soon as u stop rolling over the button?

[@rocaveronica1]

I have the same issue. Could you solve it?

[@violam1913]

Hello! Thanks for this video, very clear. I was trying to figure out if it was possible to make a drop-down menu with multiple choices appear using indesign.... Do you know if it is possible?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Yes, this is possible. Perhaps I will do a tutorial on it soon.

[@freddyfuller7995]

I have an old Adobe program and it works great ..... for everything I currently do and I love it....do I need to buy a new adobe to use this program as I am not ready to spend for a new Adobe program....I get by with the old Adobe I have now....

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Freddy. You can use an older version for interactive tools, so long as it's not older than the CC versions. Use the version your comfortable with and can get by with. The important part is you're learning and evolving. Keep it up.

[@yielder]

First of all thanks for all these wonderful tutorials! But I have a question. Can I put a video behind a Roll Over Button Image? So if I have a picture and I click on it that a video starts playing in the same frame. ? many thanks !

[@Bukoappl]

Awesome stuff once again, man. Thank you!

[@andreacerna1575]

Thank you for great tutorial, Angelo. I am trying to do pop-up window, and I don't know why the close button is hiding behind the pop-up or the active button. Is there a chance to keep the close buttons up the others buttons in more complicated scheme in interactive pdf?

[@julial1683]

Hi Angelo, your tutorial helped me very much while wanting to improve my skills in indesign! I had one question and I hope you can help me with that. In this video the pop ups won't disappear once you've gone over the button. Do you know how to make all the buttons go away when not on one? Thank you so much! :)

[@senecawoods3794]

Did you ever figure this out? Having the same issue currently

[@djCrit]

Very useful. A thousand thanks to you! 👍👍👍

[@Janpva.]

cool ! but is opacity the only thing you can do??? or changing shape is also possible?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Great question. Yes, you can change the shape of rollover. Click Rollover, go to Object > Convert Shape and select a different shape. Best of luck.

[@MadelinePeirsman]

Dear Angelo, thanks a lot for all your fantastic videos ! I just follow this tutorial for an interactive menu. Unfortunately I have a problem with a "double action" on a button. My menu is made up of 6 numbered buttons, each one displays the name of the page concerned. I would like the page name that appears when hovering to be clickable and direct to the page in question. Could you help me?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Madeline! The way I would handle this is as follows: Let's use your Number 2 button as an example. Click the frame and convert the object to a button. Set the Action preset of Go to Page and choose the second page in the document. Under Appearance, click Rollover, then select the the text in the frame. Change the text to what represents Page 2. So this button now will have an appearance state when rolled over and it will take viewers to page 2 in the document. Repeat for the other buttons in your menu.

[@MadelinePeirsman]

@@AngeloMontilla Dear Angelo, Thank you for your answer ! Unfortunately it doesn't work :(. All titles are already buttons "Hidden Until Triggered". When they appear I would like to clic them to go to the page. When I try to put a script action "go to page" on it : nothing happen. The action is "refused", I d'ont understand why, do you have any idea ? Thank you so much for your help !

[@AngeloMontilla]

@@MadelinePeirsman Are you exporting as PDF? I would handle it differently, if so.

[@MadelinePeirsman]

@@AngeloMontilla Yes absolutely ! I need it on a interactive PDF

[@AngeloMontilla]

@@MadelinePeirsman Use Hyperlink instead of Button for PDF. So click on the button object in your menu and go to the Hyperlinks panel (Window > Interactive > Hyperlinks). Set a new Hyperlink to go to a Page and set the page number that corresponds with your button. This is the best way to set up navigation for PDF. The other way is setting up Bookmarks and setting a Button Action of Destination. Both of these methods will work for PDF.

[@GastonGonzalezVivo]

Hi Angelo! Grate video! I'm trying to make a text appear when hovering over an object. However, I need to be able to export it as a PDF, so it works in browsers as well as in Gmail's preview when sent via email. Is it possible to achieve this in any way?

[@jg074]

Thank you for making it easy to follow! How does this all translate to mobile use though?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Thanks! What do you mean by "translate"? You can use Publish Online in InDesign, which allows users to view projects in a web browser. Remember, these are not responsive layouts, so if you want something specifically for mobile, set up a mobile size doc. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@rubenzall]

When I try this what winds up happening is the text will appear once when I rollover the button but remain on. It doesn't disappear when I roll off. I've tried everything I can think to try, I'm running the newest version 2021 on a mac. Any ideas?

[@damianbrittleton6277]

I have the same issue - driving me mad!

[@sbulanov2]

For the button which triggers the action, make a roll off state with the button you need to hide - invisible

[@stephennoyce2528]

@@sbulanov2 I just spent 2 hours trying to figure this issue out, thank you so much!

[@lujain667]

@@stephennoyce2528 can you explain exactly how you did that?

[@jennymorrissey390]

@@sbulanov2 I cannot seem to figure out how to coordinate the roll-off. Do you have an example of this?

[@lucycury1]

Hi, Angelo, thanks for the A-mazing tutorials on interactive pdfs! It's helped me so much! Why don't animations work on interactive PDFs? Is it supposed to be like this or is it a "bug" on CC InDesign? Thanks again!

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey Lu! Unfortunately what I showed in this lesson won't work for PDF Interactive because Object States are not supported. Since this is HTML-based, it will work if you Publish Online and view in a web browser or export for EPub (Fixed Layout) and view in an e-reader, like Apple Books. Check out this video if you want to learn to do something similar for PDF interactive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5jcYWBohNelfbs

[@MeryemKocabayDesign]

Hi Angelo! Thank you again for this amazing video. I want to publish some product brochures and catalogs. Do I have to create for both desktop, tablet and mobile? Any options to create responsive layout? Thank you in advance.

[@AngeloMontilla]

Great question! The layouts for digital publishing in InDesign are not responsive, so I would say make the size where it can be viewed across all platforms. I find A4 for web is good for desktop, ipad and mobile. It's a good place to start.

[@MeryemKocabayDesign]

@@AngeloMontilla Many thanks for your recommendation 🙏

[@lalalisa7501]

Hi sir, is it possible to hide the info when you're done hovering on top of it? because example if you have 3 infos and you hover on top of them, there's always 1 info still showing up even if you're not hovering it. your tutorial works awesome

[@shreyarao5765]

You can try the hidden until triggered option

[@gwenvankasteren466]

I had the same question, but hiding until triggered doesn’t work

[@sarahs5657]

really good video!! however do you know if it's possible to make a different text appear at the same place while rolling over ? when i try to superpose two blocks, the text disappear! :') you didn't have that problem bc you made all different text appear at different place !

[@qassim765]

Hello..I am glad to have you with me..and I would like to ask you again..how can I export a file from Adobe Digital Editions so that it works on Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader..Is there a specific way. Thank you very much

[@alonsiu]

Eres seco Angello, buen vídeo!

[@HungryEatNow]

The last part you mentioned about animation not showing up on PDF file unless it is an interactive layout. So the entire document must be created first and foremost to be an interactive layout? Or any file will be interactive the moment you add an interactive object?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Andrei! Remember, animation is not supported in PDF (Interactive). Use one of the supported export options such as Publish Online or EPub (Fixed Layout) in order for the animation to work properly.

[@alvaro_bueno]

Hi again Angelo, I was wondering if... it is possible to add a shape into a rollover button in InDesing, once of course the button is already created ? Otherwise I have to go back into an object, and create again the button with the shape I wanted to add and, also, create again the "over" and "clic" appearance. I am trying, but I can't see the "add to button" option. Thank you!

[@chefranylaitenu7731]

Thank you so muych for this video!

[@Subtle_Dagger]

Angelo, hi! Thank you for this tutorial. I have a question, If I want to have a Moon chart, where I can be able to toggle (half moon, quarter...) how would I do that? Is it possible?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey there. Have a look at this tutorial. It may help answer some of your questions. Thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2fXdX-hq6eeqpY

[@MARIOCHRISTOFORIDESDESIGNER]

Big Thank You

[@skwok127]

Hi Angelo - I know I am 3 years late to text you about this Rollover Effect video 😂. I have a quick question about how to roll off after I am done rollover the contents. For instance, is there any ways to NOT SHOW any portfolio info after you click on the background without the X (close button)? Thanks for your help!

[@AngeloMontilla]

Never too late! lol You would add a Roll Off event and reverse the settings you created for the Roll On actions.

[@qassim765]

Thank you for this nice explanation..but..I have a question, if you will..the question is that in some advanced interactive files that contain automatic image transition when clicking on the first image, in addition to some buttons, I have a problem when exporting..so that Interactive files of this type do not work when exporting as an interactive PDF file... When I was asked, they said there must be another format for export.. May I know what it is? Thank you

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey there. That is correct, this will not work for Interactive PDF because it has animation and multi-state object buttons. A great solution is exporting for EPub (Fixed Layout). Go to File > Export and choose EPub (Fixed Layout). Open in an e-reader such as Apple Books or Adobe Digital Editions, if you're on Windows.

[@qassim765]

@@AngeloMontilla Thank you for your interest..I appreciate it very much...But when I send it to the client for viewing, does he have to have these programs on his computer for him to see..If I am not supposed to ask him to do so..Thank you very much for your time..of course I am I subscribed to your channel..good luck.

[@franciscojauregui6634]

@@qassim765 did you find out? i also found its kind of pointless as you cannot expect clients to have all those programs

[@kathydavis1106]

Hi Angelo, Great video. How do I change the order of things that get animated? I am working on a magazine cover, but I want the MAST to anitmate first, but it is the last to animate because I did it last. There must be a way to change the order of things to be animated?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey Kathy. Use the Timing panel. Window > Timing and then you can reorder how you want them to play. If you want objects to play together, select them in the Timing panel and click the "Play Together" icon in bottom right.

[@kathydavis1106]

@@AngeloMontilla thank you so much!!

[@stephennoyce2528]

Thanks for a great video =)

[@katrinafey533]

Angelo, my buttons don't disappear when I roll off of the trigger button... do you know why?

[@rocaveronica1]

Could you solve it? I have the same issue.

[@catiecrutchfield4416]

I notice that the last button my mouse rolls over stays visible even if I move my mouse off of it. Is there a way to make it so when your mouse is not over any of the buttons, nothing is highlighted? To say it a different way, when you take your mouse off the roll over button, the roll over goes away?

[@mayrus75]

Hi Angelo, thanks tried this "reveal next image" converting to buttons each image and then with show/hide buttons action, when I open in pdf I can click and see the next image, but then it does not come back to the first image, any idea how to do this? any other action I need to add to achieve this? Many thanks!

[@valeriamaza54]

In InDesign, I want to use interactive buttons to lead to specific pages, but I also want that when you press a button, it takes you to a "secret" page, meaning that if you don't press that button, you can't see that page in the final document how can I do it?

[@valeriamaza54]

Do I need to convert my whole page into a button? or a hyperlink

[@Jazzycatinlego]

Your tutorials are great, I've watched a few now! But... my rollovers are not working... The first instance works, and then no other actions are triggered when I rollover the other buttons in my document. Any ideas why? Thanks so much! :)

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Juanita! I'd have to take a look at your settings in order to know exactly why. Double check that you've set the Visibility settings correctly. Leaving it on X will ignore the visibility, so it's important that in the Show/Hide Buttons and Forms action, you have visibility set to either Visible or Hidden. Hope you figure it out! :)

[@parameshwarank9080]

Thank you !!! Very useful form me

[@vdubplate]

Is it possible to get an interactive hover on a field?

[@teamwork6929]

Does it work for pdf too ? Can I see same result when I open it in pdf with Acrobat DC ?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey there! Yes, Show/Hide Buttons and Forms as well as Rollover Appearance will work for PDF. Animation will not.

[@BettinaWidmer]

Can I implement it on my website as a PDF or HTML?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Two options: • You can use the built-in Publish Online feature in InDesign and use the Embed HTML code to embed it on your website. It'll still live on the Adobe-hosted server but directs viewers to the project from your site. • You can go to File > Export > HTML and hand off the assets (js, html and images) to a developer who can help you custom code the project to your website. I would stay away from PDF unless you don't want the animation and interactivity. Hope that helps!

[@orasmith7246]

Hay Angelo, does it work on the Sugma os? I am sugondese so we only have that.

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi there, this was built in Adobe InDesign. I have never used Sigma, but I am pretty sure that is a UI/UX software. InDesign Interactive focuses on HTML5 / ePub.

[@orasmith7246]

@@AngeloMontilla sugondese nutz and ligma ballz lolololo

[@dch3aa]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@sirennastudio838]

Where can I publish it to be previewed and show them the interactivity to my clients?

[@AngeloMontilla]

EPub (Fixed Layout) or use the Publish Online feature. Share the link with clients or embed the work on your website.

[@toobaafzal5978]

Dear Sir! Please tell me something, that I want to change the color of social media icon spouse social media icons are in black color, I want when I rollover the black social media icon I must be convert into color social media icons. Thank you!

[@danielnewton5867]

Nice

[@LMae-rj9qi]

Hi Montilla, I was successful with creating my rollover buttons, but when I email the them to myself as interactive pdf files, they don't work. Any idea what's going on?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Mae. Interactive PDF documents have to be viewed in Acrobat Pro or Reader in order for the button rollovers to work. They likely won't work if you're viewing it in a web browser.

[@ninadkadam5495]

can we convert this epub file to pdf and still maintain the given animations?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey there! Unfortunately, animation isn't supported for PDF Interactive anymore.

[@ninadkadam5495]

Thank you for the response. this tutorial was really helpful learning something completely new@@AngeloMontilla

[@mykolatetiuk4707]

Which minimum version of PDF allows these effects to be visible? It all shows on epub/html only.

[@vian8871]

HI guys but I don't know in which context should we use these animations or file..

[@natalieschopp4003]

Is there a way I can do this using Adobe acrobat pro 2017?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Natalie. Acrobat allows you to add buttons through the Rich Media tool. I don't advise adding media, like video and audio to a PDF. It likely won't work.

[@AhmedAbuhind]

Good work thank s

[@AngeloMontilla]

You're Welcome Ahmed!

[@harethseethi4080]

Cool Man, Thank you very much...

[@vinnijain8976]

Rollover not working when I am taking export and creating epub(fixed layout) pdf. can you help

[@meghdadpanabad6440]

Is it possible to have two buttons on the same page, one a rollover and the other one an on Click button? somehow it does not work? you also didn't do it. You had 6 rollover buttons.

[@JyakuHD]

Was able to get my text to appear on roll over, but when rolling off my image it stayed there. Can't seem to figure out why either.

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Jacob, in this lesson, when setting the show/hide button for the next image, be sure to hide the previous on rollover.The info will in fact stay there until you roll over the next image to bring up the next piece of information. Hope that helps.

[@Steinmeier1234]

You need to make an "event": Roll Off, action with Show/Hide Buttons and forms, where you set eye crossed for the visibility. That gives a Roll over = visible and a Roll Off = Hide again.

[@rocaveronica1]

@@Steinmeier1234 Thank you so much! I've been hours looking for this answer. Thanks again

[@sophiaowen929]

@@Steinmeier1234 Life saver !! Thank you !

[@sierraboyer6076]

So if you saved this as interactive pdf it will still work or no?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi There! Everything aside from animation will work. So just don’t set your buttons to animate if your intent is to use for Interactive PDF. It won’t be supported.

[@cyrill4617]

it is still work if i give my pdf interactive to client and my client open it in his phone?

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Cyrill, unfortunately this will not work for PDF interactive for desktop or mobile.

[@cyrill4617]

@@AngeloMontilla so what this is all about? Just for presentation?

[@AngeloMontilla]

@@cyrill4617 You used to be able to create these interactive layouts for PDF, but Adobe has phased out flash so many interactions and rich multimedia content won't work anymore. This is an alternative on publishing for Online or EPub (Fixed Layout). Essentially moving from Flash to HTML5 interaction.

[@cyrill4617]

@@AngeloMontilla thanks for your advise bro, i appreciatite 👍, good channel btw, very educated 💯💯

[@johnmilovic8693]

1) How to make BUtton remain with different color after clicking? 2) RollOver effect isnot working while exporting as SWF.

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey there - to answer your first question, there's a third option in the Appearance section in the Button and Forms panel called Click. This will allow you to set the colour you want on Click. Your second question, I don't recommend exporting any interactivity as PDF. With Adobe phasing out Flash, many of those simple interactive elements won't work. Export to EPub (Fixed Layout) or Publish Online. Both use HTML5. Best of luck.

[@johnmilovic8693]

@@AngeloMontilla hi there, thnx for respond and sorry for annoying u with questions)) regarding the click- I set color but it returns to normal after clicking. But I want to remain in tht color after clicking

[@toobaafzal5978]

Hello sir :) Sir I am facing a problem with button. I applied two functions on one button. One function is go to next page and second is animation. Sir when I press the button both functions does not work at one click. Please Sir help out me!

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hi Tooba. If you are trying to have this Animation set up in an interactive PDF, remember it will not work. Also double check the Show/Hide Buttons and Forms Visibility to make sure you have set them up properly. Best of luck.

[@sarathnairk1]

Great!. Can you please let me know how to create a button for "Go To Page" in interactive PDF (Not EPUB). ePUB has the option for Go To a Particular Page but i am unable to do it in Interactive offline PDF. Can you pls Help! :)

[@AngeloMontilla]

Sarath, great question. This is a little tricky and perhaps I will do a separate tutorial on this subject. But the best way to this is by using the Go To Destination option. • Go to the page you want the button to navigate to. For example, a Biography page. • Go to Window > Bookmarks and with "Biography Page" selected, create a new bookmark and call it just that - Biography Page • Go back to the button you created and in Buttons and Forms panel, choose Go To Destination under the Actions. • The Document will be the name of the indd file you're working on, but under Destination, choose the Bookmark "Biography Page." The answer to your question is you have to create Bookmarks in combination with the Go To Destination action. Hope that helps.

[@sarathnairk1]

@@AngeloMontilla Great! Angelo, Thanks a ton😊 you are a pro👍👍👍this works. Eagerly looking forward to your other interactive pdf, epub tutorials.

[@sarathnairk1]

Hi Angelo, I got lots of information from your videos thanks for that, I would like to ask one more question regarding ePUB. Is there any way to add an Audio in an multiple pages (I have a 20 page epub with me) ePub and that play continuously in all the pages. I have managed to add an Audio on one page but when you got to the next page the Audio Stop. Any solution for playing the audio continuosly throughout the document. ? Help pls,😊

[@camillerivera4021]

Hello, where do you get free icons and images? Thank you

[@AngeloMontilla]

Hey Camille - I usually get Royalty Free images from Unsplash or Pexels. As far as Icons, Flaticon or Fontawesome have great ones, but I recommend downloading the EPS or SVG versions for best quality in InDesign.

[@IronCross666]

Great tutorial, but non of this works in Acrobat for android or IOS. Any adobe people here?

[@hshwebee8989]

thanks You so

[@shadowkilla1093]

why u need an example of three, its so annyoing, just show it with one example. This is taking so long even with 2x speed....

[@pepperj]

Isn't that Matt Walsh?

[@MARIOCHRISTOFORIDESDESIGNER]

Big thank you