Your data.
Inside every image.
Feed live, structured data into any NiftyImage — from hosted tables you manage or any REST API you connect. Two approaches, one unified workflow in the editor.
Data Stores vs External Web APIs
Both feed data into the same editor. The difference is where the data lives and how it's refreshed.
Data Stores
Structured tables hosted on NiftyImages. Upload a CSV, sync from Zapier, or push records through the API. Data is stored and queried locally — no external call at open time.
External Web APIs
Connect any REST endpoint returning JSON. NiftyImages calls the API in real time (with per-recipient variables) or on a polling schedule — and maps the response into fields you can use in images.
Quick comparison
| Data Stores | External Web APIs | |
|---|---|---|
| Data lives | On NiftyImages servers | On your external endpoint |
| Populated via | CSV upload, API, Zapier | REST call at open or via polling |
| Best when | You own the data and want fast, reliable lookups | Data changes frequently or lives in an external system |
| Per-recipient data | Via saved queries with dynamic variables | Via [bracket] variables resolved from merge tags |
| Caching | Stored locally — always fast | Configurable: none to ~24 hours, or polling schedule |
One workflow, either source
From the designer's perspective, Data Stores and External Web APIs work the same way.
Choose a Data Source
Pick a Data Store or External Web API from the dropdown when configuring a layer.
Select a query or list
Choose a saved query, list, or array item. Dynamic variables get resolved from merge tags at open.
Bind fields to layers
Map fields like Name, Price, or ImageURL to text, image, or chart layers — and you're done.
What teams build with Data Sources
Product grids
Pull product name, price, sale price, and image from an eCommerce API or Data Store to build personalized product grids.
Loyalty & account data
Show live point balances, tier status, or account metrics by passing a customer ID through a merge tag.
Schedules & events
Store upcoming events, showtimes, or game schedules and display the next relevant date for each recipient.
Location lookups
Match a subscriber's ZIP or region to the nearest store, branch, or event venue using a Data Store query.
Live scores & stats
Connect a sports or analytics API and render real-time stats, standings, or leaderboards in email images.
Custom fields & scripts
Define calculated fields or use JavaScript transforms to reshape API responses before binding them to layers.