Cross-References product (XRefs) enables cross-referencing functionality in InDesign. There is a remote resemblance with FrameMaker’s Cross-References, InDesign edition is more versatile. The product consists of two separate plug-ins. Cross-References plugin provides all functionality and is designed for InDesign/InCopy/InDesign Server, and Cross-References UI, which provides access from user interface.

oss-Reference composition is driven by its format, defined in XML. The definition also allows use of all InDesign’s meta characters, such as ^{ for opening double quote. Each XML element has common attributes, such as “style” or “format”, and specific attributes for each element. “style” attribute sets current character style, “format” attribute sets specific format for that element, such as font family, font style, color, etc.

Cross-Reference is not limited to source marker within own document, it can refer to any InDesign document.

All XML elements in cross-reference format are internally implemented as K2ServiceProvider, each element provides own DTD. It’s possible (and very simple) to develop any number of specific custom elements and add them in form of another plug-in. Cross-Reference composer automatically detects presence of installed elements.

All updates within document(s) are propagated in the real time - so there’s no need for manual updating. The updating mechanism utilizes advanced update scheduler, so there are no any slow downs caused by these updates.

There is no limit how complex cross-reference format can be - it can utilize character styles, character format overrides, custom elements and more - yet InDesign user doesn’t even need to know XML. UI plugin offers simple way how to define and share cross-reference formats.