Move object by column

The original scenario (suggested by the client):

Here are two scripts that have the same concept.
Perhaps the script can reference column guides?

Move object(s) to the column to the right
With one or more object selected,
Script references nearest column (X coordinate) and moves object(s) from right side of the object(s) to that column.
Here are the X coordinates to snap the object(s) when moving to the the right: 1.4398 in 2.5362 in 3.6326 in 4.7289 in 5.8253 in 6.9217 in 8.0181 in 9.1145 in 10.2109 in 11.3072 in 12.4036

Move object(s) to the column to the left
With one or more object selected,
Script references nearest column (X coordinate) and moves object(s) from left side of the object(s) to that column.
Here are the X coordinates to snap the object(s) when moving to the the left: 0.5 in 1.5964 in 2.6928 in 3.7892 in 4.8855 in 5.9819 in 7.0783 in 8.1747 in 9.2711 in 10.3675 in 11.4638 in 12.5602 in.

The final implementation:

All the job is done by the main script — Move object by column.jsx — which is triggered by two other small scripts using the doScript() command which sends the only argument: toTheRight. In Move-right.jsx script it is set to true, and Move-left.jsx to false. That’s the one and only difference between them.
In this way, I don’t have to write and maintain two or more almost identical scripts. I just can run it from a number of small scripts sending the necessary parameter. Quite an elegant solution in my opinion!

The script automatically detects the number of columns on the page, their width and the gap between them making the necessary calculations so it is not bound to specific column locations in a certain document as the client originally suggested: it should work in any document. Obviously, the object are not moved beyond the type area.

All three scripts should be located in the same folder.

Click here to download the script.

Go back to the main Scripts for L'Express de Toronto Inc. page