Export to InDesign
IDML is a drawing of the published lock, not a second layout engine. .K2F stays the source. Slight text reflow in InDesign is expected and allowed.
The IDML ZIP itself does not contain font files. Default export writes an InDesign package folder: {stem}.idml beside Document Fonts/ so InDesign can open the file without a missing-font dialog. Byte APIs download a .zip of that folder. --idml-only writes a lone .idml (InDesign will missing-font unless the faces are already installed).
From Markdown
pip install k2f
# From the skill folder:
python scripts/init_package.py --workspace ./out/doc --title "From Markdown" --page a4
k2f markdown notes.md -o ./out/doc/doc.K2F --template ./out/doc/source
k2f export-idml ./out/doc/doc.K2F -o ./out/doc/doc
Need pixel-identical pages → PDF.
CLI
k2f export-idml file.K2F -o ./out/doc/file # folder: file/file.idml + file/Document Fonts/
k2f export-idml ./out/doc/doc.K2F -o ./out/doc/doc # workspace: package next to .K2F, not in source/
k2f export-idml file.K2F -o ./out/doc/file.zip # same tree, zipped
k2f export-idml file.K2F --idml-only -o file.idml # lone IDML, no fonts
-o foo.idml without --idml-only writes directory foo/ (strips the suffix). Unzip a .zip download, then open the .idml next to Document Fonts. No --scale. No --trust-pack. Draws the published lock; does not compile. Unlocked input fails with UNLOCKED.
Native text, tables, and pictures stay editable. Do not stamp a full-page PNG. Do not restyle with InDesign paragraph styles — absolute lock coordinates would reflow.
SDK
| Surface | Call | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CLI k2f export-idml | -o directory, .zip, or --idml-only | Existing lock. No recompile. |
Python Editor | ed.export_idml_bytes() (package zip) / ed.export_idml_only_bytes() | No module-level k2f.export_idml. Save first if you patched the tree. |
JS @openk2f/k2f | exportIdml(bytes) (zip) / exportIdmlOnly(bytes); Editor exportIdml() / exportIdmlOnly() | Editor draws the in-memory package — save() for the latest lock. |
Dropping an InDesign file into K2F fails with IDML_IS_NOT_A_SOURCE.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Reality |
|---|---|
| Markdown → an IDML library | MD → K2F → export-idml |
| Restyle with InDesign paragraph styles | Absolute lock coordinates would reflow |
| Stamp a full-page PNG | Native text/tables/pics must stay editable |
| Expect glyph-identical pages | Slight reflow is legal |
Open a lone .idml without Document Fonts | Use the default package folder (or unzip the download) |
Rename the package zip to .idml | The wrapper zip is not IDML; unzip first |
See also
- Export — all formats
- PDF · PowerPoint · Word
- Markdown conversion
- Theme and fonts