QXP → InDesign Converter

Created by Ben for Brands Tools and resources for brand, print, and design professionals. → benforbrands.co.uk · tools.benforbrands.co.uk

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An Adobe InDesign ExtendScript that converts QuarkXPress .qxd / .qxt files to native InDesign .indd format — with automatic link resolution, text-overflow detection, font auditing, and a detailed conversion report.

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Requirements

Requirement	Detail
Adobe InDesign	CS4 through CC 2018 for native conversion · CC 2019+ needs a plug-in (see below)
Operating system	macOS or Windows
QuarkXPress file version	QXP 3.3 – 4.x (InDesign CS4–CC 2018) · QXP 5 – 9.x (InDesign CC 2018 only)

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InDesign version compatibility

The script works natively (no extras needed) on these InDesign versions:

InDesign version	App version	QXP files it opens
CS4	v6	QXP 3.3 – 6.x
CS5 / CS5.5	v7 – v7.5	QXP 3.3 – 7.x
CS6	v8	QXP 3.3 – 8.x
CC (2013 – 2018)	v9 – v13	QXP 3.3 – 9.x
CC 2019+ (v14+)	v14 and above	Not supported natively — see below

Many studios, print shops, and agencies keep an older InDesign install for exactly this kind of legacy file work. If you have CS6 or CC 2013–2018 anywhere on your network, this script will handle the conversion fully — link resolution, font checking, and saving included.

Bonus: If you have Markzware Q2ID installed on any InDesign version, that plug-in restores QXD open support. This script then handles everything Q2ID doesn't — link resolution, overflow checking, font auditing, and saving.

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InDesign CC 2019 and later (v14+)

Adobe removed the built-in QuarkXPress Converter plug-in from InDesign CC 2019. If you are on a modern InDesign (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026…) the script will detect this on launch and show you the three options below. You do not need an older InDesign — just pick one of these routes first:

Option	What to do	Cost
1. Markzware Q2ID	Install the Q2ID plug-in in your InDesign. Converts QXD files directly inside InDesign.	~$199
2. Quark IDXT (free)	In QuarkXPress, install the free Quark IDXT plug-in, then export: File ▸ Export ▸ Layout as Project… ▸ IDML. Open the .idml in InDesign.	Free
3. Older InDesign	Open the QXD in InDesign CS4–CC 2018, run this script, then open the saved .indd in your modern InDesign.	Free

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Installation

macOS

~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/<version>/Scripts/Scripts Panel/

Windows

%APPDATA%\Adobe\InDesign\<version>\<language>\Scripts\Scripts Panel\

Quick path from InDesign:

1. Open the Scripts panel: Window ▸ Utilities ▸ Scripts
2. Right-click User and choose Reveal in Finder / Explorer
3. Drop QXP_to_InDesign_Converter.jsx into that folder
4. It will appear in the panel immediately — no restart needed

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Usage

1. Open Adobe InDesign (no document needs to be open)

2. In the Scripts panel, double-click QXP_to_InDesign_Converter

3. Follow the four-step wizard:

   Step	Action
   Welcome	Read requirements, click Select Files
   Source	Pick a single .qxd file or a whole folder for batch conversion
   Options	Choose link handling, text overflow, and output preferences
   Report	Review the conversion summary; optionally save it as a .txt file

4. Converted .indd files are saved next to the originals (or with a _converted suffix if an .indd already exists there).

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What the Script Does

1 — Opens QXD via InDesign's built-in converter

app.open() invokes InDesign's QuarkXPress Converter plug-in transparently. Paragraph styles, character styles, colors, layers, master pages, and page geometry are all migrated by the plug-in.

2 — Resolves missing links

For every linked image/graphic that InDesign cannot find the script searches:

• The source file's own folder
• Links/, links/, Images/, images/, Assets/, assets/, Photos/, Graphics/
• The parent folder and its Links/ / images/ sub-folders
• Sub-folders up to 4 levels deep (configurable)

Successfully relinked files are noted in the report; unresolved ones are flagged as warnings so you can find them manually via InDesign's Links panel.

3 — Updates out-of-date links

Any link whose file has changed since the QXD was last saved is updated automatically (option can be disabled).

4 — Checks text overflow

Every text frame is tested for overflow. Where supported (InDesign CS5.5+), the script applies Auto-size: Height Only to recover hidden text. Remaining overflow frames are counted and flagged for manual review.

5 — Audits fonts

All fonts used by the document are checked. Missing fonts are listed by name in the report so you can install or substitute them.

6 — Audits page items & master pages

• Locked items are counted and noted (not automatically unlocked)
• Hidden items are noted
• Master spreads are listed by name
• Paragraph styles that carry QXP conversion prefixes ([Converted], QXP_…) are highlighted for review

7 — Saves as .indd

The document is saved in the current InDesign version's native format alongside the original source file.

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Options Reference

Option	Default	Description
Auto-relink missing images	On	Searches common locations for missing files
Update out-of-date links	On	Calls link.update() on stale links
Search sub-folders	On	Recurses up to 4 levels when hunting for links
Auto-height on overflow frames	On	Applies auto-size to overflowing text frames
Close document after saving	Off	Closes the converted doc to free memory (batch)
Add _converted suffix	On	Avoids overwriting an existing .indd

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Known Limitations

Issue	Notes
QXP 5–9	Requires InDesign CS5+ (v7+) for QXP 5–7, CS6+ for QXP 8, CC 2013–2018 for QXP 9
QXP 2015+ formats	Not supported by the built-in plug-in
Xtension-dependent content	Interactive widgets, proprietary Xtension objects may be lost
Colour profiles	ICC profile assignments are migrated but should be verified
Linked EPS / PDF boxes	Complex nested QXP group objects may need manual adjustment
Tabs and indents	Some tab leader styles may differ after conversion
Anchored boxes	Quark's runaround / anchored items are approximated

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Troubleshooting

"QuarkXPress Converter plug-in is not installed" Check that the plug-in exists at <InDesign app>/Plug-Ins/File Formats/. If it is missing, reinstall InDesign and ensure "QuarkXPress Converter" is ticked in the installer.

File opens but looks wrong Run Window ▸ Links to review any remaining missing links. Run Type ▸ Find Font to substitute missing fonts.

Script throws an error on older InDesign The AutoSizingTypeEnum auto-size code requires CS5.5+. The script catches this gracefully but you may see a warning — this is harmless.

Batch conversion is slow Each file must open and save through InDesign's full converter. For very large batches, consider enabling Close document after saving in the options to keep memory usage low.

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File Structure

QXPConversion/
└── QXP_to_InDesign_Converter.jsx   — the script (only file needed)
└── README.md                        — this document

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License

MIT — free for personal and commercial use. No warranty expressed or implied.

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About Ben for Brands

This script is one of a growing collection of free tools for designers and brand professionals published by Ben for Brands.

• benforbrands.co.uk — brand strategy, design, and print consultancy
• tools.benforbrands.co.uk — free tools and resources for brand and design work

If this script saved you time, feel free to share it and link back — it helps others in the design community find it too.