How to insert dynamic Data Merge fields as placeholders using ExtendScript (not as static text)?

Question

Hi everyone,I am writing an ExtendScript for InDesign to automate inserting Data Merge fields from an active data source (like CSV/TXT) into specific text frames.Currently, my script inserts the field name as static, plain text (e.g., just printing <> or the actual value from the source), but it does not behave as a dynamic Data Merge placeholder. When I preview or merge, InDesign doesn't recognize it as a merge field.Here is a screenshot of my Data Merge panel: My Goal: > I want to target a specific text frame, find an insertion point, and insert a dynamic placeholder field (for example, "Country" or "Top text") so that it remains a live Data Merge variable.How can I target the DataMergeField and insert it properly into a story/insertion point via JSX?Thank you in advance for your help!

Peter Kahrel · Accepted Answer

The merge field is a hyperlink, as you can see when you open the story editor and the hyperlinks panel. The hyperlink’s source is the field’s text (including the angle brackets), here <<Country>>. The destination is a URL destination whose name is DBF_ followed by the field’s name (without the brackets).

So just create a hyperlinkTextDestination and a hyperlinkURLDestination, then create a hyperlink from these two.

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