We are preparing a report collaboratively on Framapad, someone pastes a diagram into the document, and all the text disappears. This scenario, reported on the Framacolibri support forum, reminds us that Framapad is primarily a collaborative text editor, not a layout tool. Inserting an image therefore requires some precautions that the official documentation does not always detail.
Framapad and images: what the pad really handles
Framapad is based on the Etherpad engine. Its primary role is synchronized text entry among multiple users. Image insertion exists, but it functions as an integration layer added to the text, not as native image processing.
In practice, you can add a visual in two ways: upload a file from your device or paste the URL of an image already hosted online. Each method has its constraints, and the choice depends on the work context.
When working with a group (association, class, project team), it is better to understand these limits before starting collaborative writing. There is also a detailed guide on the Digiterio site for your projects that complements the official Framasoft documentation.
Inserting a local image on Framapad: the upload method
The classic situation: you have a screenshot or a photo on your computer and want to integrate it into the pad. Here’s how to proceed.
- Place the cursor at the point in the text where the image should appear, then click on the image insertion button in the pad’s toolbar.
- Select “Upload” in the interface that opens, then choose the file from your device. The file is sent to Framasoft’s servers.
- Once the upload is complete, the image appears in the document. It appears in its original size, which means that a high-resolution visual can significantly overflow the text area.
Resizing after insertion
The official documentation specifies: inserted images retain their original dimensions. They must be resized manually in the pad. On this point, feedback varies depending on the browsers and versions of Etherpad used by the Framapad instance.
To avoid surprises, you can reduce the size of the image before uploading it. A basic cropping tool (the one integrated into the operating system is sufficient) allows you to go from a photo of several megabytes to a visual suitable for a text document.
Integrating an image by URL on Framapad
Second scenario: the image is already published somewhere online (an image hosting service, a website, a Nextcloud space). You do not need to download it to transfer it.
In the image insertion interface, you choose the URL integration option. You paste the direct address of the image file (which usually ends with .jpg, .png, or .gif), and the pad displays the visual by loading it from its remote source.
When to prefer the URL over uploading
URL integration is well-suited for several concrete situations:
- You are using images stored on a service like Framaspace or Nextcloud, and you want to avoid duplicating files.
- Several pads share the same visuals (organization logo, recurring diagram). Modifying the source image updates all linked documents.
- You are working from a mobile device where direct uploading is less practical.
The weak point: if the source image is deleted or moved, the pad displays a broken link. You lose the visual without warning. It is better to host images on a space that you control.
Common mistakes when inserting images on Framapad
The Framacolibri support thread mentions a case where a user tried to insert a PDF into a pad, causing the apparent destruction of the document. This type of incident arises from confusion: Framapad accepts common image formats, not PDF documents.
Another classic trap: pasting an image from the clipboard (Ctrl+V) without going through the insertion interface. The result depends on the browser. In some cases, the pad integrates the image as encoded data, which significantly increases the document size and can slow down synchronization for other connected users.
Best practices for a collaborative pad with images
When working together, a few simple rules can prevent data loss. Informing collaborators before inserting a large visual helps avoid an editing conflict. Clearly naming images helps keep track if the pad is later exported.
For projects that require many visuals, a pad is not the right layout tool. Framapad excels at collaborative text writing. If the final document needs to contain many precisely positioned images, it is better to write the text on the pad and then assemble the document in a dedicated tool.
Image formats and technical limits of the Framapad service
The accepted formats are web standards: PNG, JPEG, and GIF. SVG images or less common formats are not always supported depending on the Etherpad instance.
The maximum size of an uploaded file depends on the server configuration. On instances managed by Framasoft, this limit is not always explicitly documented. In practice, an image file of a few hundred kilobytes passes without difficulty. Beyond that, the upload may fail silently.
For a digital guide or an organizational report, compressing your images before insertion remains the most reliable precaution. You keep a responsive pad, smooth synchronization between users, and avoid unpleasant surprises upon export.
