HTML export options

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn more about configuring HTML export options for web-ready content in Adobe InDesign.

HTML export options control how document content, structure, images, and styling are converted to HTML. These settings influence reading order, formatting, image handling, and whether to include CSS or scripts.

General options

Export and content handling

Option	Function
Export	Determines whether selected items or the entire document is exported. Selecting a text frame exports the full story, including overset text. Selecting Document exports all page items across spreads, excluding non-overridden parent page items and items on invisible layers. XML tags, indexes, and tables of contents are ignored.
Content Order	Defines the reading order of page objects: • Based on Page Layout: Reading order follows layout flow. • Same as XML Structure: Reading order follows Structure panel tags. • Same as Articles Panel: Reading order follows Articles panel sequence. Only checked articles are exported.

Formatting options

Option	Function
Bullets	Converts bullet paragraphs to HTML lists or text: Map to Unordered Lists: Converts bullet paragraphs to List Items that are formatted in HTML using the tag. Convert to Text: Formats using the tag with bullet characters as text. If you have used native InDesign auto-bullets, sub-bullets are included as well.
Numbers	Converts numbered lists to ordered lists or plain text: Map to Ordered Lists: Converts numbered lists to List Items that are formatted in HTML using the tag. Convert to Text: Converts numbered lists into paragraphs that begin with the paragraph’s current number as text.
View HTML after Exporting	Opens the exported HTML file in a browser, if available.

Image options

Image export and handling

Option	Function
Copy Images	Controls how images are exported: • Original: Copies source images to a web images folder. • Optimized: Applies export settings for web output. • Link to Server Path: References a specified path instead of exporting images.
Preserve Appearance from Layout (for Graphic/Media objects)	Retains layout-based attributes for graphic and media objects.

Image quality and sizing

Option	Function
Resolution	Defines image resolution in pixels per inch. Available values include 72, 96, 150, and 300 ppi. Higher values improve quality.
Image Size	Controls scaling behavior. Fixed size preserves dimensions. Relative to Text Flow scales images proportionally to text width.
Image Alignment and Spacing	Sets image alignment and vertical spacing within the layout.

Image conversion

Option	Function
Image Conversion	Determines output format: GIF, JPEG, PNG, or Automatic.

GIF options

Option	Function
Palette	Defines color handling: • Adaptive (no dither): Uses sampled colors without dithering. • Web: Uses web-safe palette. • System (Win) or System (Mac): Uses system color palette.
Interlace	Displays images progressively as they load.

JPEG options

Option	Function
Image Quality	Controls compression and visual quality. Lower quality reduces file size.
Format Method	Defines display behavior: • Progressive: Displays gradually during loading. • Baseline: Displays after full download.

Additional image setting

Option	Function
Ignore Object Export Settings	Overrides individual object export settings applied to images.

Advanced options

HTML and CSS

Option	Function
Don't include classes in HTML	Removes class and id attributes and eliminates redundant div tags.
Include classes in HTML	Retains class and id attributes in exported HTML.
Generate CSS	Controls whether CSS is generated during export.
Preserve Local Overrides	Retains local formatting such as bold or italic styling.
Add Style Sheet	Specifies a path to an external CSS file. File validation is not performed.

JavaScript

Option	Function
Add Script	Associates a JavaScript file to run when the HTML page opens. Script validation is not performed.

Exported content

Stories, linked and embedded graphics, SWF files, footnotes, text variables as text, bulleted and numbered lists, internal cross-references, hyperlinks to web pages, and text anchors.
Tables with formatting such as strokes and cell styles.
Objects such as shapes, pasted content, and outlined text.
Audio and H.264 video wrapped in HTML5 <audio> and <video> tags.

Unsupported content

Hyperlinks other than web links and text-anchor links.
XML tags, books, bookmarks, SING glyphlets.
Page transitions and index markers.
Unselected pasteboard objects are not intersecting the page.
Parent page items, unless overridden or selected before export.

Create print and digital materials with InDesign
Design impactful ads, magazine and book layouts, and more.

Open the app

Export to HTML (Legacy)

Export content as HTML5

Learn

Learn with step-by-step video tutorials and hands-on guidance right in the app.

Community

Join discussions, find answers, learn from experts, and share your knowledge.

Adobe Home

Access your favorite Creative Cloud apps, services, file management, and more.