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Question

Adding hyperlinks to InDesign from Excel

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
March 1, 2025
5 replies
3099 views

I am creating a book listing in Adobe InDesign, where each book title needs a hyperlink assigned. I copy the links from Excel to InDesign using **Window > Interactive > Hyperlink**. Can someone help me automate this process, possibly with a script? Thanks!

Kasyan Servetsky

Brainiac

Hi @s@xorNOJ ,
Here I made a script for you that makes hyperlinks reading data from Excel.

Hope it helps!
— Kas

S

s@xorNOJAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hi @Kasyan Servetsky

Sorry for the delayed response—I’ve been caught up with work and wasn’t feeling well, so I couldn’t check back sooner. I’ll be trying them out in the next few days once I’m fully recovered. I’ll update here once I’ve had a chance to test them.

Thanks again!

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

By the way, are these external hyperlinks to web addresses in your Excel file?

Mike Witherell

S

s@xorNOJAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hi Mike,

Thanks for asking.

Yes, those are external hyperlinks.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @s@xorNOJ,

I hope the suggestions from Robert and Eugene helped! Were you able to get the hyperlinks added from Excel successfully? If so, feel free to share what worked for you - it could help others with a similar need.

Looking forward to your update!

^

Abhishek

S

s@xorNOJAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hi @Abhishek Rao
I just shared the files with @Robert at ID-Tasker . A huge thanks to all of you. Let's hope we can find the answer to this.

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

Hello - some have requested similar before

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/add-hyperlinks-from-excel-file/td-p/13369415

If it's not working let us know there maybe something in scripting solution for you, but the options in the link might suffice.

If you need something more specific let us know what you need exactly and how you need it to work.

Robert at ID-Tasker

Brainiac

Script will only work if you've both lists "synchronised".

I can't provide you with a working script - I'm not so good in JavaScript - but if you send me your file privately - I can do this for you for free, using a different solution - please click my nickname, pack just your INDD file and Excel file, upload this package somewhere and send me a link privately.

Or do you have book name AND hyperlink in the Excel file - in separate columns?

S

s@xorNOJAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hi Robert,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I’ve created a dummy version since the file is confidential. To answer your question, I have the book name and hyperlink in the Excel file. Thank you very much!

https://limewire.com/?referrer=pq7i8xx7p2

S

s@xorNOJAuthor

Participating Frequently

@s@xorNOJ

Maybe it would be "too much" but how about QR codes?

And what will be the final layout - how many Text Columns?

Maybe this would save you some space?

And if you put URL link as text - most PDF viewers will convert it into a clickable link anyway.

@Robert at ID-Tasker

Good point! Each book title links to its specific page on our store website for easy access to details and purchasing.

We’re also adding QR codes at the start of each section (e.g., California), followed by related books for quick navigation.

The number of text columns will depend on how we balance readability with fitting all content efficiently. As for URLs in text format, you're right—many PDF viewers automatically convert them into clickable links.

Here's our company website: https://store.lexisnexis.com/en-us/

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