Conditional text overview

What conditional text does

Conditional text lets you show or hide content in an InDesign document without creating multiple versions of the same file. You apply conditions to text and control which conditions are visible or hidden, all within a single document.

How conditions work

Each condition acts as a label applied to text. Once used, InDesign tracks that text as part of the condition, allowing you to include or exclude it from view, printing, or export as needed.

Plan before you apply conditions

Conditional text works best when you plan. Planning helps identify which parts of the content may vary and how those variations relate to each other. Clear condition names and consistent usage help keep documents easy to manage as they grow.

Use multiple conditions when needed

You can apply multiple conditions to the same text. This allows flexible combinations, especially when content variations overlap. InDesign evaluates each condition’s visibility to determine whether the text appears.

Hidden text stays in the document

Conditional text does not remove content from your file. Hidden text remains editable and searchable, making it easier to maintain and update all variations without losing information.