How to Create a Slideshow Caption in Adobe InDesign

Multi-state objects can be created with any kind of frame, including text frames. In this example, captions will be added to a multi-state object slideshow.

This feature works the same in InDesign CS5, CS6, and CC versions.

1. In this layout, the image frame is a multi-state object and the navigation buttons have been created. (To learn more about this, see How to Create a Multi-State Object Slideshow.) A text frame with the first caption has now been added.
2. Using the Selection Tool, click the text frame with the caption. Go to the Object States Panel and click the Convert button. Name the state "Captions".
3. Notice that when a multi-state object is created, the state name is highlighted, so you can give states meaningful names. I'll rename State 2 "Funky", then go to the text frame in the layout and type in the new caption text.
4. Click the Create New State button, changing the caption in the layout each time, to add as many captions as necessary for the number of images in the slideshow. Note that you must use the Selection Tool to create new states. Here, four caption states have been created. The first state was renamed by clicking, pausing, and clicking again to highlight the text.
5. The caption states must now be added to the buttons. Open the Buttons and Forms Panel (Window > Interactive > Buttons and Forms) and select the Next button in the layout. The button already has one action to control the image.
6. Click the Add Action menu and select Go To Next State.
7. Click the Object menu in the Buttons and Forms Panel and choose Captions.
8. In the layout, select the Previous button. Repeat Steps 6–7, adding the Go To Previous State action.
9. To preview the slideshow, go to the Window > Interactive > SWF Preview. Click on the buttons in the preview to test the slideshow.