InDesign How-To: Use Data Merge to Place Multiple Images (Video Tutorial)

[@lovejko]

InDesign Data Merge is simply perfect. Nothing is better. Most elegant solution ever.

[@cand1ss]

A lifesaver. It worked perfectly for 445 images!

[@elsruiters1123]

Brillant! I had over 900 separate pdf files to import. This works like a charm! Thank you!

[@CreativePro]

Wow! Glad we could help make that job less daunting!

[@colourwavesadv]

thank you so much. really i was in tears when i found this....i wasted so much time....God bless you

[@jacobroebuck5648]

Great Tutorial! Easy to follow.

[@meekerh]

Correction: In Windows Explorer you find "Copy path" on the Home tab, not the View tab.

[@saitakdemir2228]

Great convenience. I wanted to use this for Data Merge. I saw this while trying to find out how to make a link in Excel. It gave me other ideas. Thanks.

[@klaaje]

I'm so grateful for this tutorial, Tanks!

[@MrMainA]

Hi, great video! Just one question. I need to insert a blank page on every 2nd page (so, image, blank, image, blank, etc.). is there an easy way to do this?

[@domdidit]

Outstanding! Thank you

[@smailib]

OMG! LIFESAVER!!! Thank you!

[@CreativePro]

Great!

[@federicomatteoverde8636]

Lovely, thanks 🙌

[@marycarnahan5716]

In InDesign, I had to add an apostrophe before the @ symbol, or it thought it was a formula. After that it worked perfectly. Thanks for this.

[@danuureche6051]

Best tutorial!

[@JulieK89]

This is amazing. Is there a way to automate inserting a batch of images across a document with 2 or more images per page? In my case I've prepared sudoku images for a year. In the puzzle section each page should have two puzzles per page, and in the solution section probably 12 per page.

[@bobbyvai1]

So I need to do this with a data text file of serial numbers that match up with barcode files like you have here. What is best method for that?

[@Rollrite]

Did you get a response? We want to do similar with part numbers and QR code images. Don't want the file extension at the end of caption though so I'll need to do up a test template and dig into how i can adjust that.

[@MisterRobinsonClass]

You are my hero! Why this feature is not built into Acrobat Pro is beyond me.

[@Rajsinghvlog77]

Very useful information thanks

[@andy921219]

how to copy mutiple name file in window 11..not find this function

[@katycollins5914]

Perfect timing! Thank-you!

[@rinnylee9405]

Super helpful!

[@Mackerachi]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

[@easify_]

waw ! you are my Hero ! Thanks & God Bless you

[@rcdabral7494]

Thanks David! I learn many things from to you... can I placed multiple text file the same process?

[@winterkhan]

its lifesaver, work saver, brain saver, thanks lot, 5000 image now fits.

[@CreativePro]

That’s excellent to hear! -EG

[@kota7219]

very Helpful can i place Image from Internet Link

[@shmmil]

great tip! so far i used only text data merge. tnx again

[@melvynpaulino6183]

This is awesome!

[@denis3515]

Really usefull. Thank you so much

[@skiboltskie]

this is perfect but is there a way i can have the live captions without the extensions showing. have thousands of images so manually renaming the images before the import is not really an option

[@CreativePro]

You can add the metadata to the images (or choose another tag) when setting up the captions. There may also be a script to remove the file extension. -EG

[@FunDumb]

For windows in the folder, I just pressed Shift + Right Click, copy and pasted all the paths, and Control F'd, and removed any necessary info. To then past that info into my text file.

[@TheTrekker80]

Fabulous thank you so much!

[@fabiansiefert71]

amazing. Thank you to show this. soooo after this I can go earlier in the sun. But a Call to Adobe: This kind of workflow is a Basic need. Just implement it in the Placement Funktion.

[@seanpb1970]

what if I have a mail merge and it it wants to pull in a signature or image along with peoples addresses on say a postcard? Can a column be made with the images pull?

[@WRBLplayas]

would love to know this as well @CreativePro

[@ayoubberrichi953]

Thanks so much Mr David for this amazing tuto... I learn many things from you

[@pius222]

i have a csv file contains names, title, company, branch, But I also want to insert the partner logos images into the file. seems I cannot import two source files, one will replace another

[@CreativePro]

Correct, you can only have one source file. You could, however, import the information into another INDD file and either copy and paste the info or place the other INDD file inside your main file (it will work the same as any linked image file, see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKrdm5R8m7x-eMk) -EG

[@nageltube]

Thanks!!!

[@Tvoj_Prijatelj_Vili]

Do I have to be on a master page? Because When I did everything from the video I've got a merged document with only one, first image on only one page and it should be 70 images.

[@Tvoj_Prijatelj_Vili]

Aha the key is to first create a document which only has one page and then the merged one will have the number of pages as the number of images there are.

[@lgallphn]

Owesome trick! Thank you a lot! But, What if each image goes into non-continuos pages, like, let´s say: "Designing a Anual Report and need a photo of every department manager when that department´s section begins into different number of page the document"? Thank you again for your time and effort.

[@thaisjacobxmusic]

Thank you sooo much, you saved my life haha

[@CreativePro]

Happy to help save a life! 🤣

[@peddrovieira]

great tip.

[@bastianrivero]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@user-xf7qr8fb6q]

Thank You

[@seangray4512]

Very cool

[@avinashadhav6194]

Amazing!

[@HAMDYFAMILY657]

thanx man 👌👍

[@IraFayGames]

Is it possible to dynamically control the position of an image via data merge? Thanks in advance if you know how!

[@CreativePro]

Yes you can set the frame it will fall into.

[@mikedoiron3372]

If I put three frame holders on one page will this still fill all three or will this only work with one per page? Thanks for all the great videos.

[@CreativePro]

Use the multi record option in data merge. -EG

[@mohammad-hasanin]

Awesome!

[@MassiveSwordAndCards]

OK but how do I use this to insert those images in-line with text automatically? Used to be able to do this very easily like 10 years ago. Either I've completely forgot everything or Adobe gimped their software (again)

[@CreativePro]

Not sure what you mean. Can you explain what you have and what you need to do with it? If you’re on FB you can even join and post to our InDesignSecrets FB group. -EG

[@MassiveSwordAndCards]

@@CreativePro What I want to do is run data marge to insert images in-line with the text. Like the way Magic the Gathering cards have symbols within the text. Putting static anchored images into the text box doesn't work, because the flow of text isn't rigid like that. It needs to be completely variable, like I need to be abble to write "Deal 1 [damage icon]" as well as "Whenever you deal [damage icon], heal 1 [hp icon]", and any other possible variation of about 30 different icons and game mechanics language within the same text box. So far, the best suggestion I got is to use find and replace. However, pasting images into the text box pushes all the text down by 1 pixel, making the icons not align with the text. With that level of inaccuracy, there's no point in going any further with it. Even if this worked, having to run find and replace with all these icons every time i update the game is a hugely unnecesary passion the in butt. It really seems like Adobe dropped the ball here. This should be a standard feature out of the box, along with the ability to reference CC library images in the data merge and several other critical options that are just bizarrely missing.

[@DavidBlatner]

​@@MassiveSwordAndCards You are correct that Data Merge does not do this… but Data Merge is a very simple tool in InDesign. It's not really made for MTG cards! :-) (I happen to know that Wizards does use InDesign, but they use a number of scripts to automate their card production.) There are other ways to do it. As you said, you can use find/change to place anchored graphics. BE SURE to apply an object style to the graphic frame before you copy it, though… that way you can adjust its position as necessary, which should allow you to stop the text from moving down. Another way to stop the text from moving down may be to ensure you're using absolute leading in the paragraph, not automatic leading. And also consider using the First Baseline Offset feature in Text Frame Options, which lets you specify exactly where the first line should sit. Instead of find/change, you might also want to use a script that replaces text for images. For example, see these links: creativepro.com/topic/replace-text-with-image-where-text-image-name-70/ creativepro.com/swapping-text-and-images-with-a-free-script/ creativepro.com/find-text-change-to-graphic/ And finally: another elegant way to manage this is to create your own font, where those images are characters in the font.

[@mubashirshah1508]

Helpful 👍

[@jankubasiewicz8439]

when doing the previeuw in INDD get the notification that "there is at least one place holder that cannot be found" am i doing something wrong? thanks for help!

[@CreativePro]

That can happen if an image isn't in the same folder, or has been modified/gone missing. -EG

[@jaykid160]

This is cool! Can you data merge multiple images into various place holder frames around the page? I have to place like 200 images in a page!! Thank you.

[@CreativePro]

You could do multiple record layout which duplicates the placeholder into rows and columns.

[@Yacine-GFX]

shout out for you and Jesus Ramirez

[@smton]

Is it possible to do this where the data imported are pages in a PDF instead of images in a folder? I’ll keep looking but this was super interesting and useful!

[@CreativePro]

They need to be separate files. You could open the PDF file in Acrobat, extract as separate pages, then treat them like images. -EG

[@kota7219]

Will I be able to get Image by placing Internet link in Indesign Document ?? if yes Please guide me

[@CreativePro]

No, you need the file to be placed from somewhere. If your link is for an image, open the link in your browser and drag to your desktop. Then place (assuming copyright allows, etc.).

[@inkeye1]

Hey David - How can I data merge the photos and info at the same time?

[@inkeye1]

I think I may have figured it out. :)

[@HowieD1975]

Is this a way to make contact sheets in InDesign?

[@CreativePro]

You could do it as a multiple record layout to put multiples on a page. Another option is to just place multiple images using “Gridify,” which you get by holding down Command/Ctrl-Shift with a loaded place cursor. -EG

[@waynehill2444]

When copying all of the images in the folder and pasting into a Text Editor, InDesign now pastes the actual image. Not the file names. I've even tried copying into Number (Mac's equivalent to Excel), same thing. It copies the actual images.

[@CreativePro]

Try right-clicking when pasting and choosing paste special > unformatted text (or paste special). Depends on the app. -EG

[@Ratzorizzo]

when I past the images into TextEdit I get the images, NOT THE NAMES?

[@CreativePro]

You need to copy the names then paste.

[@m1k3sh1n0da]

Please anyone, I really need help!!! Everything that is shown in this Video works just fine,exept one thing: Can I also do this with more than one Image on a single page? I need to place 2 images per page, but there is always an error.. The bests thing i can do is place the same image twice, but i need 2 different batches of images to create an photography album.. Can someone help me please? It would support me big time. Thank you in advance

[@josejavier2360]

Thanks for the video, I do appreciate. I do have a question, sort of of reverse engineering… Is it possible, using data merge, to not only place different 1 one page images and text in a layout, but also export those layouts-individually (in the same page) into different files? Suppose you have in the same page 1 Photo with descriptions, call that lay out 1 (a group). Then you also have a few other groups, with more photos and text. The idea is that you have a page where you have say 5 different designs, of different dimensions. So each design or mini layout in the same page is a group of itself, and the from here you can automate this to export those layouts (5 in this case) as 5 different graphics, wther be a JPGS, PNG, PDF, etc.. I do video translations, and the idea is that I can translate the graphics I place on the videos all at once. So I could have document in InDesign with only one page, or even two or 3 where I have 5 different graphics in each that go into the video, and using data merge I can change the text language and translate the graphics of of say 10 videos, all at once. Those images are e saved to a folder, and using my video editing software, I line those images to the video. I am not asking about the translation in itself, for that is already taken care of, but actual exporting (saving) of those groups as individual images. I know this can can be done, I just don't know how to export 5 different elements in my page into 5 different files. I hope it wasn't too confusing. Any help? Thanks in adavance for any one that throws a lead on this.

[@CreativePro]

This would be a great question to ask in our Facebook group (we have over 20K members to help). facebook.com/groups/indesignsecrets

[@BePositiveBeStrong]

Wow i thought it was difficult with XML and JavaScript knowledge. But is easier.

[@prabu2778]

Instead of placing 1 image Can I place 20 images per page?

[@CreativePro]

Use the multiple layout option in the data merge panel. -EG

[@NathienSK]

Oh. That could be usefull.

[@martin2do]

Super ! Now I must add: it doesn't work with french accents in images names. (And I guess any other special glyphs, be careful about that)

[@CreativePro]

Oh wow… good to know!

[@ernatmagnussen]

Does it not work if you save as .txt instead of csv?

[@martin2do]

@@ernatmagnussen I used .txt :) Images like "Néon" won't do. Just rename it beforehand ;)

[@ernatmagnussen]

@@martin2doOhh okay, i had issues with the letter “ð” showing up as _>. It turned out normal when i switched from csv to txt.

[@meganabaja]

Why cant they ever make something like a drag and drop and move around...

[@stephenmiller7776]

Its shocking to be that you cant just datamerge a large table into indesign it creates a page for every row of csv file. Shocking that a company like adobe dont have this option, unless anyone knows of one . I am struggling to data merge a 200 row table into indesign

[@rosslindsay4061]

Thanks for this, can you crop the images as they are placed? Too far?! Lol

[@CreativePro]

Set overall crop values in the Frame Fitting Options (Onject > Fitting) ahead of time.

[@charlesphillips7731]

Pretty limited. One record per page? Ridiculous I need 12 images on a page and you don’t tell me anything about how to go about that. Worthless.

[@ivyparker5617]

Um...copy paste the box and resize until you have 12 boxes on the template page. Do it before the data merge, but after the data has been mapped. Now your template will load 12 images a page.