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Participant
August 5, 2026
Question

Images Data Merge are Blank BUT Don't Throw an Error

  • August 5, 2026
  • 7 replies
  • 63 views

I have been trying to figure this out for several days now. I’m using 2025 InDesign on a Mac. I have one merge file with images that works just fine and I use it all the time. I’m trying to set up a separate merge file with a lot more images. I fixed several errors that were causing me to get the “missing image” error. Despite all that, I now get no errors but a merge file with text and blank boxes where the images should be. I have noticed one other difference between the merge file that works and the one that doesn’t: In the working one, my image frame has the correct column name <<logo>> inside the frame where the image should be, but the one not working does not display any text. Would be so grateful for a solution!

And just to cover my bases, yes the column has an @ sign, and yes, I tried putting the spreadsheet in the same folder as the images and using the image file name, which got me the same result: No errors, but the frames are still blank after merge. I even checked and the frame content type is set to graphic, so I’m totally at a loss.

7 replies

Community Expert
August 7, 2026

Here is something to check. Keep in mind that during data merge, image placement options will be based on the last place options used.

If you are working in another ID project and place art using Options > Crop to: > Trim. These settings stay active, regardless of how you originally planned for the image placement during a merge.

You can test this by generating an ID doc after merge, open and see if graphic is misplaced within frame.

Participant
August 9, 2026

Thank you for the suggestion! I should have mentioned that when I generate the merged ID document, not only are the frames blank, but I don’t see any of the image links in the links panel at all. I’m still going to check those settings just in case!

Community Expert
August 11, 2026

Did you perform a Preview from the Data Merge panel? If so, this can corrupt the document, with rebuilding the document from scratch as a fix.

leo.r
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 6, 2026

Are all images using POSIX paths (i.e. forward slash as separator /folder/file) or the legacy HFS paths (folder:folder:file)? It must be POSIX. (I do know that you tried using the image file only in the same folder and it still didn’t work.)

Participant
August 6, 2026

Yes, I’m using paths with /folder/file formatting, but thank you for the suggestion!