Exporting InDesign HTML for a Coding Website

[brook_4359]

Is it possible to export HTML content from InDesign for use on a coding website? I'm looking for the best methods to ensure the design translates well to web format, especially for responsive layouts.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Do you need to export some example code placed in the InDesign document - placed as text - or rather complete InDesign document? 

[brook_4359]

I'm looking to export the complete InDesign document, ensuring the design elements and layout translate well to HTML, especially for a responsive format.

[Robert at ID-Tasker · Accepted solution]

For simple layouts - built-in HTML export might be OK. 

But you should rather look for some 3rd party - paid - solutions. 

Not sure about responsiveness of the in5 - but if you don't need solution right now, my ID-Tasker tool will do it.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Here is link to in5: 

https://ajarproductions.com/blog/2020/04/09/how-to-create-responsive-layouts-using-indesign-in5/ 

[brook_4359]

Thanks Mate! 

[BobLevine]

You'll never get responsive code out of InDesign even with in5.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I have had good luck exporting well-stuctured ID documents to what is now called Legacy HTML, especially with judicious use of CSS on export.

That said, ID is not and never will be a web-page design tool, so expecting the results you'd get from direct coding or DreamWeaver or such, including responsive code etc., isn't reasonable. But you can get a pretty decent... content draft? HTML manuscript? content block? to drop into a fully formed web page structure.

The new HTML5 export is... worth looking at, as it combines Publish Online's detailed conversion of ID layouts with plain HTML viewing (not requiring the PO host and and platform). I deeply dislike its technical approach of extensively mapping every element into place, like FXL EPUB, and thus being all but un-editable after export. But it might be a (partial) solution for you.

[brook_4359]

Thanks Mate! for your kind reply.