How to Add Sound to an InDesign Project

Add sound to InDesign interactive PDF files.

InDesign is best known as Adobe's print layout program, but you can also add sound and video to your InDesign files. Import any MP3 file into your InDesign project and it will be included as part of your final PDF file. Add music, spoken instructions or sound effects as part of your design and the sound will be incorporated into your interactive PDF. The audio file plays when the PDF is opened in Acrobat, Adobe Reader or Flash.

Instructions

1. Open the project you want to enhance with sound.

2. Click on "File" and select "Place." Navigate to the MP3 audio file you want to add.

3. Click on the page that you wish to enhance with sound. A media object appears where you clicked. If the object extends outside the page boundary, it won't export or play properly, so make sure you click inside the page.

4. Preview the file in the Media panel to hear the file before you export it. Click "Window," then "Interactive" and select "Media" to open the panel and hear the preview.

5. Make any other desired changes to the project before you export your work.

6. Click "File" and select "Export." Type a file name when the Export dialog box opens. Select a location to save the file and click "Save As Type" (Windows) or "Format" (Mac).

7. Choose "Adobe PDF (Interactive)" as the file type, then click the "Save" button. The "Export to Interactive PDF" dialog box opens. Leave the default settings unchanged, or experiment with advanced settings like compression, resolution, page transitions and presentation options. For most users, the default settings should be fine.

8. Click "OK" to complete the export.

References

• Adobe Systems: InDesign Support – Movies and Sounds
• Adobe Systems: InDesign Support – Export to Interactive PDF Options