Merging Multiple PDFs into a Single Image for AI Actions

[MaximeBaker]

Hey Gliders!
It’s me again, bringing you another creative use case. This time: merging multiple PDFs into a single image so you can use it with an AI action in Glide. This technique helps reduce update usage and ensures all the data is centralized in one file. It’s also great for preserving context between related PDFs.

Here is how to do it step by step:

1. Prepare your table: Add a column named “Merged File URL” to your table. This will store the final image URL.
2. Create an ImgBB Account:
   • Go to https://imgbb.com, create a free account, and generate an API key.
   • Since you’ll use this key in a public context, don’t use your main/personal email.
   • Important: While this isn’t the most secure method (because the API key is exposed), you can mitigate risks by setting the file to self-destruct after a short period (e.g., 1 minute). This gives you enough time to upload the image back into Glide using the Upload File or Create File action.
3. Use the PDF Merge to Image AI Component
   • Use this AI component I’ve shared: Glide Component - PDF Merge to Image
4. Configure the Component
   • Set your ImgBB API key in the ImgBB Key field.
   • You can use a config table if you want to keep things flexible.
   • Set the output URL to the “Merged File URL” column you created earlier.
5. Upload Multiple PDFs
   • Test by uploading multiple PDF files into the component.
   • The result will be a single merged image, and its URL will be saved in your “Merged File URL” column.
   • You can then automatically re-upload that image into Glide using the Upload File action.
6. Automate It (Optional but Awesome)
   You can take this further by automating the upload when the merged file is ready.
   Here’s another AI component I built to help you with that: Real-Time Workflow Automation
   (If the link fails, use the fallback: https://real-time-workflow.glide.page)

Screenshots

(Screenshots attached below for reference)

Let me know if you try it or improve it!
Hope this helps you take your Glide apps to the next level.

[Mazen]

Great work! Well done my friend.