Issue with InDesign startup script not loading images from XML import

Question

I am trying to do an XML import automatically from a startup script when a document is loaded. I am successful in getting most of the content to populate, but images are being ignored. Everything works, including images, when I do a manual 'Import XML' through the UI, or through a manual script.

Below is my manual script:

var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
var xmlFile = File('/c/Full/Path/To/data.xml');

myDocument.importXML(xmlFile);

But the goal is to do it on startup. Below is my startup script:

#targetengine "session"

app.addEventListener('afterOpen', function(myEvent) {
   if (myEvent.target.constructor.name !== 'Document') {
   return;
   }

   var myDocument = myEvent.target;
   var xmlFile = File('/c/Full/Path/To/data.xml');

  myDocument.importXML(xmlFile);
});

Below is the XML tag for the image:

<Image href="file:///C:/Full/Path/To/Image/02.png" />

I'm wondering if there is an issue with the 'afterOpen' event callback, and that's the reason why it works manually using the same method, but not in the startup script.

schattenjager · Accepted Answer

I solved it by avoiding the event listener altogether:

main();
function main () {
    // create a path for a file object
    var curFile = File('/c/Path/To/file.indd);
    var xmlFile = File('/c/Path/To/data.xml');
    // close app if files don't exist
    if (!curFile.exists || !xmlFile.exists) {
        app.quit(SaveOptions.NO);
    }
    // open the file
    var curDoc = app.open(curFile);
    // import the xml
    curDoc.importXML(xmlFile);
    // create a new file object
    var pdfFile = new File(curFile.parent + '/' + curFile.name + '.pdf');
    // export to pdf
    curDoc.exportFile(ExportFormat.PDF_TYPE, pdfFile);
    // close app
    app.quit(SaveOptions.NO);
}

Dirk Becker · Answer

Sounds like something inside InDesign is not yet up and running when the open is processed.What happens if you defer the import to an idle task?Dirk

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded