Style Inspector

Quick start guide for checking styles from an InDesign document, PDF, and optional JSON.

This guide explains how to prepare files, open the Style Inspector, load a matching PDF and JSON, and review paragraph or character style information visually.

Quick idea

Export matching files, load them together, then hover or inspect the PDF for style information.

Style Inspector interface
Prepare FilesBasic StepsWorkflow DiagramArea OverviewTipsTroubleshootingBest Practice
1

Prepare Files

Prepare the matching source files before inspection.

A

Run the annotation script

Open the InDesign document and run the style annotation script.

B

Export the JSON

Save the Style Annotation JSON from the same document pages.

C

Export a matching PDF

Export the PDF from the same version of the InDesign file.

2

Basic Steps

Follow this inspection workflow.

1

Open the inspector

Open the Style Inspector HTML in your browser.

2

Load the PDF

Add the matching exported PDF.

3

Load the JSON

Add the Style Annotation JSON from the same document.

4

Review pages

Navigate through the PDF pages.

5

Inspect styles

Hover or click text regions to check style information.

6

Document issues

Use findings for QA notes or production corrections.

3

Workflow Diagram

Simple inspection flow.

InDesignRun script
→
JSONExport annotations
→
PDFExport matching file
→
InspectorLoad both files
→
ReviewCheck styles
4

Area Overview

Quick reference for the inspector.

A

PDF viewer

Shows the document pages for visual review.

B

Style overlay

Displays regions that connect to style data.

C

Style details

Shows paragraph style, character style, and text info.

D

Page controls

Move between pages and adjust zoom.

E

Processing log

Shows loading or matching messages.

F

Review notes

Use observations for production QA.

5

Tips

Helpful reminders.

Keep PDF and JSON matched
  • Export both files from the same document version.
  • Do not mix old JSON with a newer PDF.
  • Rerun the script after layout edits.
Review tables carefully
  • Tables may need JSON support for best results.
  • Check master page exclusions.
  • Confirm live pages were exported.
6

Troubleshooting

Use these checks when something does not load.

No style data appears
  • Confirm the JSON was loaded.
  • Confirm the PDF and JSON are from the same document.
  • Rerun the annotation script.
Page alignment looks wrong
  • Export a fresh PDF.
  • Check page range and document version.
Tables are incomplete
  • Confirm the script includes table or cell text.
  • Review JSON output before inspection.
7

Best Practice

Recommended workflow.

Recommended workflow

Rerun the annotation script and export a fresh PDF whenever the InDesign file changes.

Important reminder

The Style Inspector is most reliable when PDF and JSON are generated from the same document version.

Style Inspector User Guide