Previewing InDesign (.IDML) files in the wxrks editor
The editor preview for InDesign (.IDML) files renders the document as a PDF and overlays the translations on top of the source text, inside the original layout. You can see the final result while you translate or review, without downloading any file.
Audience and access
This article is for users who can open work units in the wxrks Editor, including translators, reviewers, and project managers.
Anyone who can manage the project's files can upload the preview PDF. The InDesign Preview option appears in the editor only when the feature is available in your environment — if you do not see it on your work unit, check with wxrks support whether the feature is enabled.
Key concepts
Concept | Description |
PDF Preview Guide | The PDF version of the InDesign (.IDML) file, uploaded at the project level, that enables the visual preview in the editor |
Pairing | The PDF is associated with the .IDML file by name. An |
Text locating | The editor looks for the source text of each segment inside the PDF so it can place the translation in the right spot |
Overlay | The translations are drawn on top of the PDF, at the location of the original source text |
Upload the PDF Preview Guide
Before you can use the preview, a PDF rendered from the InDesign file needs to be uploaded to the project, with the same name as the .IDML file.
Open the project page in wxrks.
Go to the Reference files tab.
Scroll to the PDF Preview Guide Files section.
In the Upload PDF preview button, choose All locales or a target locale of the project.
Select the PDF file that corresponds to the .IDML file.
Wait for the upload confirmation message.
To keep in mind:
Only PDF files are accepted. Other formats show an error and are not uploaded.
The PDF name must match the .IDML file name exactly:
manual.idmlpairs only withmanual.pdf.If the project has multiple target locales, you can upload one PDF per locale. A PDF set to the work unit's target locale takes priority over a generic PDF (uploaded without a locale).
Open the preview in the editor
Open the work unit of the .IDML file in the wxrks Editor.
In the editor's top bar, click the eye icon to Show/Hide preview.
When a paired PDF exists, InDesign Preview is selected automatically.
If another mode is active, open the Preview Mode menu (lines icon) and choose InDesign Preview.
Preview controls
At the top of the panel, next to the file name and the total page count, you will find:
Show translations — displays the translations overlaid on the PDF layout. When unchecked, it shows the original PDF as uploaded.
Show all pages — shows all pages on screen. When off, you can navigate page by page with the arrows.
Highlight segment — highlights the segment currently selected in the editor and scrolls the document to it.
Rotation — rotates the document left or right (
Rotate left,Rotate right) and returns to the original position (Reset rotation).Zoom — zooms in and out (
Zoom in,Zoom out) and restores the default size (Reset zoom).Fit panel width — toggles between the document's default width and fitting the panel width.
Refresh translations — updates the overlay with the latest translations.
Progress indicator — shows how many segments were located in the PDF (for example,
23 of 40 segments located) or whether the PDF has no selectable text.
Work with translations in the preview
As you type or confirm segments in the editor, the overlay updates automatically to reflect the latest text.
Navigating through segments in the editor positions the preview at the matching part of the document, especially with Highlight segment turned on.
Translations longer than the original space are reduced in size to fit the block, without cutting off the content.
Use Open in new window to open the preview in a separate browser window. The window follows the segments you navigate to and edit in the editor.
After confirming bulk changes or switching work units, click Refresh translations to make sure the preview shows the latest content.
Important behavior
Locating text in the PDF is best-effort: repeated text, text split across lines differently, or text with outlined fonts may not be found. The progress indicator shows how many segments were located.
If the PDF has no selectable text (for example, outlined fonts), the translation overlay is not available and the indicator shows
no selectable text — overlay unavailable. The original document preview still works.When more than one PDF could be paired, the file with the matching target locale wins; on a tie, the most recent upload.
If no paired PDF exists yet, the panel shows the No paired PDF found message with guidance about which file to upload (the PDF with the same name) in the project's PDF Preview Guide section.
While the document is being prepared or rendered, the panel controls are temporarily disabled.
Troubleshooting
The preview shows "No paired PDF found"
Upload the PDF with the same name as the .IDML file in the PDF Preview Guide Files section of the project, and check the locale chosen at upload time. After uploading, return to the editor and reopen the preview or click Refresh translations.
The "InDesign Preview" mode is not available
Confirm that the work unit is an .IDML file and open the Preview Mode menu to check whether the option exists. If it does not appear, the feature may not be enabled in your environment — contact wxrks support.
The translations do not show in the document
Check Show translations. If the changes were made recently, confirm the segments and click Refresh translations.
The overlay is not available for this PDF
The PDF most likely has no selectable text (for example, outlined fonts), so translations cannot be drawn over it. The original document preview remains available.
Some segments are not located in the document
Locating is best-effort. Repeated or reflowed text may not be found; the progress indicator reports how many segments were located.
The preview panel does not open
Click the eye icon in the editor's top bar. If the control is unavailable, your account may not have permission to open the preview.
Quick reference
To... | Action |
Enable the preview for an .IDML file | Upload the PDF with the same name under PDF Preview Guide Files in the project |
Open the preview | Eye icon in the editor bar, mode InDesign Preview |
See the translations in the layout | Check Show translations |
Locate a segment in the document | Check Highlight segment and navigate the segments in the editor |
Update the preview | Refresh translations |
See the whole document | Check Show all pages |
Navigate page by page | Uncheck Show all pages and use the arrows |
Follow the editing in another window | Open in new window |