Export content as HTML5

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to export a page, spread, or selected object to HTML5 format in Adobe InDesign.

Exporting an InDesign document to HTML5 ensures cross-platform compatibility and supports rich, interactive content, enhanced user engagement, improved accessibility, better SEO, and faster web page performance. You can also control how text is exported for web use.

Select File > Export.

Select HTML5 in Save as type (Windows) or Format (macOS).

Select Use InDesign Document Name as the Output Filename to keep the file name the same, then select Save.

Select the HTML text tags or HTML SVG tags option in the Export HTML5 Package dialog box.

Select the Copy Fonts (Except added from Adobe Fonts) option to include fonts.

Select the Export option to generate the HTML5 package.

Quick fixes to resolve HTML5 rendering issues

  • If you used the HTML text tags option, ensure to select the Copy Fonts option during export.
  • If you selected the Copy Fonts option, check if the issue is still caused by a missing font. Try the HTML SVG tags option to confirm if it's a font problem.
  • If it's indeed a font problem and your HTML SVG tags option looks great, check if the fonts you've used in the InDesign document are exported and placed in the fonts folder of the package. If they're not, you may have to copy and place the fonts in the folder manually. 
  • If, after placing the fonts, the issue still persist, please reach out to the Customer support team.
Note
  • The use of fonts on a website must comply with the terms of your font license. Self-hosting fonts for a website may require a separate license.
  • Certain fonts may not be copied to the package folder due to restrictions imposed by the font foundry. For further inquiries, please contact sharewithID@adobe.com.

Difference between HTML5 Package and HTML (Legacy)

The HTML5 Package aims to mimic the layout of the InDesign file in the output HTML5 from the start. On the other hand, HTML (Legacy) is a bottom-up approach to creating HTML from an InDesign file, and it has limited layout similarities with the original file.

Scripting support for HTML5 export

This feature now supports exporting documents to HTML5 not only through the InDesign Application UI but with VBScript, ExtendScript, and AppleScript as well. These scripting environments trigger the same export operations as the HTML5 export option. This allows teams to automate HTML5 output across Windows, macOS, or cross-platform workflows.

InDesign doesn’t include or provide any scripts. You can create your own scripts to use this workflow.

Known issues

  • Effects such as drop shadow, blur, etc. for text are not exported properly.

Workaround: Select HTML SVG tag instead of HTML text tags to export text.