# idmly

> idmly converts a self-contained HTML/CSS design into a native, fully editable Adobe InDesign file (.idml). Drop in an AI-generated or hand-coded HTML layout (a report, deck, or one-pager) and get back real text frames, named paragraph and character styles, charts redrawn as editable vectors, and fonts bound by name. It is **not** a flattened PDF and not a screenshot — every frame reflows and every style is editable. The first two pages of any file convert free with no signup; a one-time **$49 lifetime license** unlocks unlimited full-document conversions on up to 10 devices.

## Key facts

- **What it does:** HTML/CSS → native InDesign `.idml`. The output also opens in Affinity Publisher.
- **How it works:** idmly renders your file in a real browser (Chromium) and reads the *computed* layout — it never parses your CSS. Any framework works: Tailwind, Bootstrap, plain CSS. If Chrome can render it, idmly can convert it.
- **What you get back:** real text frames, named paragraph/character styles, editable vector charts and tables, images placed and linked (designs with images arrive as a zip with a Links folder).
- **Not a PDF:** there is no PDF anywhere in the chain. idmly builds the InDesign document directly.
- **Pricing:** one-time $49, lifetime license, unlimited conversions, up to 10 devices. No subscription. 14-day fix-or-refund if a file can't convert.
- **Free trial:** the first two pages of any file convert free — no signup, no card.
- **Privacy:** uploaded files are converted then deleted. No storage, no training on user files, no third-party analytics or trackers on the site.
- **Made by:** Kelly Fraser, operated by Nomadic Social CC. Support: support@idmly.com

## Who it is for

Designers, studios, and report/brochure/deck makers who design in AI tools or in the browser but must deliver an editable InDesign file — and are tired of rebuilding AI-generated layouts by hand, box by box and font by font.

## Pages

- [Home / live converter](https://www.idmly.com/): product overview, the free 2-page converter, pricing, and FAQ.
- [How to convert HTML/CSS to InDesign](https://www.idmly.com/html-to-indesign.html): step-by-step guide plus every conversion method compared (manual rebuild, PDF import, plugin converters, idmly).
- [Convert a design from a URL (beta)](https://www.idmly.com/url-to-indesign.html): how to convert a hosted .html design straight from a public link, why Claude/ChatGPT share links don't work (use the File tab — download the .html), and how to host a design to get a usable URL.
- [idmly API (early access)](https://www.idmly.com/html-to-indesign-api.html): a planned API to convert HTML/CSS or a hosted URL into a native, editable InDesign .idml at scale, behind one authenticated POST — same engine as the site. For AI tools, agencies, and SaaS pipelines. Not live yet; join the early-access list.
- [Convert an AI-generated design to InDesign](https://www.idmly.com/ai-design-to-indesign.html): AI design tools hand you HTML; idmly converts that straight into an editable .idml — real text frames, named styles, editable charts. No PDF, no rebuilding by hand.
- [Convert a Figma design to InDesign](https://www.idmly.com/figma-to-indesign.html): Figma can't export an editable InDesign file directly. The route that works: Figma → HTML → a native, editable .idml with idmly.
- [Convert a Canva design to InDesign](https://www.idmly.com/canva-to-indesign.html): Canva can't export to InDesign, and its PDF imports as a flat, locked picture. What actually works to get an editable InDesign file.
- [Get an HTML or AI design into Affinity Publisher](https://www.idmly.com/html-to-affinity-publisher.html): Affinity Publisher has no HTML import; idmly's .idml output opens directly in Affinity Publisher — no Adobe InDesign needed.
- [Why a PDF imports into InDesign as uneditable outlines](https://www.idmly.com/pdf-to-indesign-uneditable.html): why a placed PDF is one flat, locked picture, why PDF-to-InDesign converters struggle, and the cleaner fix — convert the HTML instead.
- [PDF-to-InDesign converters compared](https://www.idmly.com/pdf-to-indesign-converter-alternatives.html): the honest landscape — Markzware PDF2DTP, Recosoft PDF2ID, placing a PDF, rebuilding by hand, and idmly (HTML → .idml). Pick by your source file.
- [idmly vs Markzware PDF2DTP](https://www.idmly.com/idmly-vs-markzware-pdf2dtp.html): honest comparison — HTML-source vs PDF-source conversion, output, platform, price.
- [idmly vs Recosoft PDF2ID](https://www.idmly.com/idmly-vs-recosoft-pdf2id.html): honest comparison — HTML-source vs PDF-source conversion, output, platform, price.
- [How to keep fonts and charts editable in InDesign](https://www.idmly.com/keep-fonts-charts-editable-indesign.html): why PDF routes lose fonts to substitution and charts to flattening, and how converting from HTML keeps both fully editable.
- [What is IDML?](https://www.idmly.com/what-is-idml.html): IDML explained — the open, XML-based, fully editable InDesign format; how it differs from a PDF and an INDD.
- [Stress-test file](https://www.idmly.com/idmly-stress-test.html): a free 2-page sample design anyone can download and convert in full on the free trial to judge output quality before paying.
- [Legal](https://www.idmly.com/legal.html): terms, privacy, refund policy.

## Common questions idmly answers

- Can you convert HTML/CSS to InDesign? Yes — to a native, editable .idml, not a PDF.
- Is there a tool to turn a web design (or an AI-generated design) into an editable InDesign file? Yes — idmly.
- How do I get a Figma/Canva/AI-tool export into InDesign? Export it as a self-contained HTML file and convert it with idmly.
- Does it work with Tailwind / Bootstrap / any CSS framework? Yes — it reads the rendered browser layout, not your CSS.
- Can I convert a design from a URL? Yes (beta) — paste a direct public link to a hosted .html design. A Claude or ChatGPT share link won't work (it opens the app, not the file): download the .html and use the File tab instead.
- Is there an API to convert HTML to InDesign programmatically / at scale? It's in early access — a planned endpoint that runs the same engine as the site, for AI tools, agencies, and SaaS pipelines. Not public yet; request access at https://www.idmly.com/html-to-indesign-api.html
- Can I get an editable file into Affinity Publisher without InDesign? Yes — idmly's .idml output opens directly in Affinity Publisher.
- Why does my PDF import into InDesign as one locked picture? Placed PDFs are flattened by design; converting the design's HTML with idmly produces editable frames and styles instead.
- Which PDF-to-InDesign converter should I use? If your source is a finished PDF: a PDF-based tool like Markzware PDF2DTP or Recosoft PDF2ID. If your source is HTML — or an AI design tool that outputs HTML — idmly converts it with higher fidelity because it reads the live browser layout, not a flattened export.
- Does idmly keep fonts and charts editable? Yes — fonts are bound by name (never outlined) and charts are redrawn as editable vectors, not images.
- What is an IDML file? InDesign Markup Language — Adobe's open, XML-based interchange format for fully editable InDesign layouts; it opens in InDesign and Affinity Publisher.
- Can I test idmly before paying? Yes, twice over: any file's first two pages convert free with no signup, and the free stress-test design at https://www.idmly.com/idmly-stress-test.html converts in full on the trial.
- Does idmly work on a phone or tablet? The converter needs a desktop browser — and the output needs InDesign or Affinity Publisher on a computer anyway. On mobile, idmly can email you a link to finish on your desktop.