Insert an image from a remote location

You can edit an <image> element to insert images from remote locations, FTP sites, or local files outside the Content Store.

When you are inserting images from outside the Content Store, you can use either absolute or relative pathnames. However, keep in mind that setups vary in different machines. When you specify the path for your image, make sure that the path makes sense with regard to the machine (and the local network) where the files will be installed.

Note: When you use this procedure, the images will not be part of your output. The output will be created with links to the images. When you load your output onto the web server, the content will link to external images in the location you specified.

To insert an image:

  1. Open the topic.
  2. Place the cursor where you want to insert the image.
    Note: You must place your cursor within an element that allows images.
  3. Select DITA > Insert > Insert Image....
  4. In the URL field, enter the location of the image you want to reference:

    Use the following syntax for the URL depending on the location of the image:

    Location type Syntax
    Website http://sitename
    Secure website https://sitename
    FTP site ftp://sitename
    Secure FTP site ftps://sitename
    Local file file://driveletter/filename
  5. Click Insert.
Your remote image will appear in the image reference.