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Data Image

The Data Image node

Lede. Resolves an image for the current record – from a column reference, a folder lookup, or a manually chosen path.

Group: Data · Available in: Image Placeholder · Central node: No

Purpose

  • Place per-record product photos in an Image placeholder.
  • Resolve image filenames from a Filename column relative to a configured image folder.
  • Show a fallback graphic when no per-record image is available.

Where to find it

Add Node ▸ Data ▸ Image

How it works

In its settings panel you pick how images are resolved:

  • From column – the column holds a filename; the node looks it up in a configured image folder.
  • From folder – the node scans a folder for a file matching record data (typically an ID column).
  • Manual path – a single fixed image used for all records.

The node emits a reference to that image; the Image placeholder places it in InDesign with the fit / alignment from the placeholder’s settings (overridable via a Style Image node).

Sockets

Direction Name What it does What you can connect
Output Out The resolved image reference. Image Placeholder’s Content socket.

The node has no input sockets.

Settings

Setting What it does
Source From column / From folder / Manual.
Image folder Root directory the column/folder lookups resolve against.
Column (Source = column) Column that contains the filename.
Match column (Source = folder) Column the lookup compares filenames against.
Allow missing When on, missing images are silently accepted (the placeholder stays empty).

Example (end-to-end)

Scenario. A product catalogue where each row has an ImageFile column referencing files in Photos/.

Wiring. [Data Image] → [Placeholder.Content].

Result. Each record’s image is loaded from <configured base>/Photos/<ImageFile>.

Empty / error behaviour

  • Missing file: triggers the placeholder’s error path; an Error Action socket can absorb it (e.g. Remove frame, Use fallback image).
  • Missing column value: same as missing file unless Allow missing is on.

Limitations

  • Image placeholders only. There is no text-output equivalent.

Common pitfalls

  • All records show the same image. Source is probably set to Manual – switch to From column / From folder.
  • Path resolution fails. Image folder paths are relative to the document or to a configured root; verify the actual resolved path in the merge log.

Screenshots

📷 Screenshot [NEU]: Data Image settings panel

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Node Reference · Last updated 3 weeks ago

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