InDesign

Add image fields in the data source file

By adding image fields to the data source file, you can allow a different image to appear on each merged record. For example, when you merge documents that include information from various companies, you may want to include an image of each company’s logo as part of the merge.

  1. Open the data source file.
  2. At the beginning of the data field name, type an “at” symbol (@) to insert text or paths that refer to image files.

    The @ symbol is required only in the first line; subsequent lines should include the image paths. Paths, which are case-sensitive, must follow the naming conventions of the operating system in which they’re stored.

    If you get an error message when you type the @ symbol at the beginning of the field, type an apostrophe (') before the @ symbol (such as '@Photos) to validate the function. Some applications, such as Microsoft Excel, reserve the @ symbol for functions.
(Windows) Example of image references in data source file

Name

Age

@Photos

Bill Tucker

36

C:\Photos\BillTucker.jpg

Dat Nguyen

53

C:\MyDocuments\dat.gif

Maria Ruiz

26

C:\Photos\Ruiz.psd

(Mac OS) Example of image references in data source file

Name

Age

@Photos

Bill Tucker

36

Mac HD:Photos:BillTucker.jpg

Dat Nguyen

53

Desktop:Family:dat.gif

Maria Ruiz

26

Mac HD:Photos:Ruiz.psd