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Last updated on
17 January 2023
Automated publishing with XML, IDML, and scripting
The flexible XML options, InDesign® Markup Language (IDML), and rich scripting support in Adobe® InDesign let you create powerful automated workflows for publishing content across various systems and output media. Find in-depth information about the XML, IDML, and scripting support in InDesign to help you create a strong foundation for custom solutions that meet your unique publishing requirements.
If you're considering automating InDesign, you may also want to look at Adobe InDesign Server, the robust, flexible, and scalable version of InDesign. Because InDesign Server shares the same codebase as InDesign, it offers all the features of the desktop version as well as a number of server-based features.
IDML resources
IDML is an open, XML-based file format that enables third-party developers and systems integrators to programmatically create, modify, and deconstruct InDesign documents outside the context of InDesign. IDML works with standard XML editing tools, making it easy to use in automated workflows. And with support for multi-threading in InDesign, working with the IDML file format is even faster.
With IDML, developers can now:
- Dynamically generate or modify documents
- Deconstruct and reuse portions of documents
- Transform document elements using XSLT
- Find and modify data within InDesign documents using XPath or XQuery
- Use Adobe Flash® Builder® software and the Adobe AIR® runtime to create custom applications and interfaces in front of IDML workflows
A reinvention of designed document workflows
IDML is derived from the InDesign Interchange (INX) format, which was introduced in InDesign CS2 to enable users to save documents for use in a previous version. INX was difficult to read and manipulate because it was designed to be used by InDesign alone. Those who tried to manipulate INX encountered challenges with readability, robustness, extensibility, and compatibility with XML tools.
IDML addresses these concerns by enabling developers to change, assemble, and reassemble XML representations of InDesign documents. This allows for the creation and manipulation of InDesign files outside the context of InDesign. The files are then brought back into an InDesign product for rendering into a final output format.
Benefits
IDML offers an easier, more flexible way to build and implement a variety of publishing solutions. Benefits include:
- Completeness — With IDML, objects, attributes, and preferences can be represented with complete roundtrip capability.
- Readability — The IDML format can be read and written by virtually any program or tool capable of reading and writing XML.
- Robustness — With IDML, developers have more visibility into errors and increased flexibility in handling them.
- Backward compatibility — Users will be able to take an IDML file generated for one version and open it in subsequent versions.
Sample use cases
Because IDML is an XML format, its potential uses are varied. However, some common uses might include:
XML resources
Learn how to import and work with XML files in InDesign.
Scripting resources
With InDesign scripting support, you can automate tedious production tasks such as placing and replacing images, correcting errors in text and preparing files for printing. And it plays an integral role in XML and IDML-based workflows. Learn more about how to add and work with scripting in InDesign.
XMP resources
XMP — Adding intelligence to media
Adobe's Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) is a labeling technology that allows you to embed data about a file, known as metadata, into the file. Go to the XMP website for more information on how partners and standards are using XMP.
XMP technology for developers
The XMP Toolkit allows you to integrate metadata functionality into your product or solution. It supports macOS, Windows®, and UNIX® and comes with samples, documentation, source code, and project files. The XMP Toolkit is available under the BSD license.
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