Can inDesign Data Merge import images from URLs instead of images from local folder?

[Matal57]

Basically, I'd like inDesign to use images from https addresses instead of using a local folder. Is it possible in inDesign CC2018? Thanks in advance!

[BobLevine]

No

[Matal57]

Ohhh, so sad. Thank you for that quick response Bob!

[Colin Flashman · Accepted solution]

To somewhat expand on Bob's answer, I'd say "No, not without making your own solution to do so".

Data Merge aside, importing images from http or https into InDesign has been a challenge that one scripter has been working on and the information on this challenge can be found here: https://coppieters.nz/?p=133

I definitely agree with Bob's answer, but if the OP's hand is forced and getting images from the internet must be done, consider checking out the link in the above paragraph.

[TᴀW]

Very true Colin. This is definitely doable with a script. Check out my own experimental An InDesign HTML Import Script | Id-Extras.com

... which happily pulls in pictures from a URL.

The solution I'd envisage would be a datamerge that places the URL as text in InDesign, and then an additional script that goes through the document, reads the URLs, and pulls the images in from the web...

Ariel

[Steeve Beach]

It may not be correct for your project but for mine, I was given a list of 200 country flags as URLs in an Excel file. I added this extension to Chrome:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/simple-mass-downloader/abdkkegmcbiomijcbdaodaflgehfffed/re...

And converted URLs to a text file, imported it, and presto. Now I can easily convert those URLs to local paths.

[patMorita]

I know this is and old post but i just stumbled upon it and wanted to let you know what we do. We have Mydatamerge in use that handles that with ease with a few clicks.

Supported are either full URLS from a datasource or just imagenames (you can add URL inside the app).

Its low cost app for macOS and i recommend it if you need to work with data merge regularly. I wouldn't buy it if its a one time task