Scripting InDesign CS3/4 with JavaScript

Author note: In Adobe InDesign CS6, the changes to InDesign's scripting DOM are absolutely minimal. Therefore, the information in this title is valid and up to date for CS6.
Updated: August 2010. Author Peter Kahrel updated this Short Cut to cover InDesign CS5.
InDesign provides a powerful setof tools for producing beautifuldocuments. While you can certainlydo all your work by hand throughInDesign's graphical interface, thereare many times when it's much easier towrite a script. Once you've automateda task, you can run it over the wholedocument, ensuring consistency, orjust when you need it, simplifying andspeeding your layout process. All ittakes is a bit of JavaScript knowledgeand a willingness to explore InDesign'sprogramming features.