Update 800 hyperlinks with UTM tracking

[cr06can]

My client would like to add tracking to all their hyperlinks across 7 files, between 800-2200 SKUs each. This is not a batch find and replace situation, UTM was never used up until this new request,  so I don't think IDML option will work.

Is there a way to batch add the UTM tracking to all hyperlinks?

[brianp311 · Accepted solution]

Assuming the UTM needs to be appended to the end of all existing Hyperlink URL Destinations in the document: 

var hlds = app.activeDocument.hyperlinkURLDestinations;
var utm = "?utm=blahblah";
for (var i = 0; i < hlds.length; i++) {
    hlds[i].destinationURL += utm; 
}

[cr06can]

Wow - Brian - brillant. Haven't worked with scripts very much. What/where exactly am I using this beautiful set of instructions?

[brianp311]

The above code is a jsx script. This explains how to install and use it. You'll need to run it on an open document (won't do all docs at once--that costs extra 😉 )

https://creativepro.com/how-to-install-a-script-in-indesign-that-you-found-in-a-forum-or-blog-post/

[cr06can]

Many thanks kind sir!

[cr06can]

Just had to fix a spelling mistake to make this script work. Thank you so very much!

Would this script also work to find and replace if they change the UTM info in the future?

[brianp311]

Sure, just change this line: 

hlds[i].destinationURL += utm; 

To this: 

hlds[i].destinationURL = hlds[i].destinationURL.replace("?=oldutm", "?=newutm");

Keep the double quotes 

[cr06can]

Once Again - thank you very much!

[Peter27153714l5wn]

Thanks brian for making this.

I have updated the code a bit so the if your url has a search queery the code will change your ? to an &.

var utm = "utm=blahblah";

var hlds = app.activeDocument.hyperlinkURLDestinations;
var utmsearch = "&" + utm;
var utmdefault = "?" + utm;

for (var i = 0; i < hlds.length; i++) {
	var result = hlds.item(i).destinationURL.includes("?");
	if (result) {
		hlds.item(i).destinationURL += utmsearch; 
	} else {
		hlds.item(i).destinationURL += utmdefault;
	}
}

1. Don't included the ? when replacing the UTM code
2. save as a .idjs file

[richardm74103734]

Im trying to run a similar script and am getting an error -wondering if anyone can help??

The code adds UTM tracking but also uses an if/then to check if there are more than one & in the code.

When I run this in InDesign I get an error I have attached as a screenshot.

Here is my code and error message - I believe the error is on the line shown in red?

var utm = "utm_source=publications&utm_medium=sale-finder&utm_campaign=12-days-of-xmas";

var hlds = app.activeDocument.hyperlinkURLDestinations;
var utmsearch = "&" + utm;
var utmdefault = "?" + utm;

for (var i = 0; i < hlds.length; i++) {
var result = hlds.item(i).destinationURL.includes("?");
if (result) {
hlds.item(i).destinationURL += utmsearch;
} else {
hlds.item(i).destinationURL += utmdefault;
}
}

[brianp311]

The person who responded to my code wrote it in the new UXP scripting language (hence the idjs). Extendscript doesn't include ".include" as a string method. Try this instead. 

var utm = "utm_source=publications&utm_medium=sale-finder&utm_campaign=12-days-of-xmas";

var hlds = app.activeDocument.hyperlinkURLDestinations;
var utmsearch = "&" + utm;
var utmdefault = "?" + utm;

for (var i = 0; i < hlds.length; i++) {
var result = hlds.item(i).destinationURL.indexOf("?") >= 0;
if (result) {
hlds.item(i).destinationURL += utmsearch;
} else {
hlds.item(i).destinationURL += utmdefault;
}
}

[richardm74103734]

Wow I think that works.

Thanks sooooooooooooooo much Brian

[Peter27153714l5wn]

Thanks for fixing my error