Hello my friend, today is May 18, 2024 and I'm gonna start a new job in 10 days where, what you show in this video is a FUNDAMENTAL starting point for me because I didn't have an idea that you could do that in InDesign. Thank you!
Really great video, I worked with Data Merge on a previous job and couldn't remember how it worked. This is great as either a reminder of the tool, or an explanation for new users. Well done!
Hi, this worked! I use Variable Data sometimes at work, mainly with lots of numbers for floor stickers, simple black text on white background. I was looking to see if Variable Data is easier in InDesign or Illustrator. I think I've found my answer with your tutorial. Well done, Sir. Automatic New Subscriber! Thank you so much!
I’m glad this worked for you! Thanks for the sub, let me know if you have any questions regarding this or another process. I can certainly try to help further ✌🏼
Do you know if this is possible if the image frame is on a Parent page? I have a large document (1000 pages), and each page has an image frame that comes from a Parent page, but the merge only seems to work if the image frame is on the actual page. I really don't want to copy/paste the same image frame to all of my regular pages.
Hey this is fantastic. Sorry total newbie here. How do I create 'the path' for the images. You look like you just copy and paste. This clearly isn't the case. Again apologies, how do I create the path for the images? Thanks
Wow, this is brilliant- you really deserve sooo much subscribers! 🙏 Can you make data merge into like an action/script where the exporting happens directly (or something) to automate even more? Or should I ask firstly if actions even exists in Indesign? I'm more used to Illustrator and have just started using Indesign, but data merge sounds like such a time saver. Also- do you know of a way to automate hyperlinking in any way? I'm speaking about hyperlinks between different pages, boxes or numbers within a bigger document and not the hyperlinks used for a link to a webpage. Meaning, if one need to hyperlink hundreds of things, is there a way to do it fast and automated? All the best and thanks for great content 👍
Hi, thanks for your comment. I haven't looked in to actions / scripts or I haven't had to use the feature but I will look in to it and plan to make a follow up video sometime soon.
It not only works with .csv but also with .txt, in my case, I had to save as UTF-16 Unicode Text (.txt) with Excel to make it work with Khmer language because the regular .csv option does not seem to allow special characters / foreign alphabets. Edit: Just realized that it actually works with .csv as well if you click on the import options beforehand and specify UTF character encoding instead of the default ASCII.
Hi, thanks for your question. In my example you can see I have 2 pages, page one is front and page two is back. When you export if done properly the data will populate in that order (front-back-front-back). I hope this answers your question.
I'm having an issue with overset text after merging. Is there a way to automatically manage a text attribute (horizontal scale) to make the text fit if it's overset?
Thank you for a great video. Do you know if it is possible to have a python program (or some other script) telling InDesign to update a documents data source and export images?
is there a way to automatically update a graphic content inside every table cell in indesign? ( like for example, change all the dimension of the graphic, problem is that theres like 200 pages of that table...
The only way, is kind of a pain but the only way I get it done at this time. Once you have your final data and good to output I would "Merge the document" this will open a new document with all the data converted in to pages and then at this point edit those special characters manually.
Is having a lot of info that goes in tables in Indesign possible with data merge? Also, I have different paragraphs with images. I am not sure if that will be practical
Hi! Thanks for this video, it really helps to understand Data Merge. I have a question about this tool. I need to prepare the layout of this document that has multiple pages. Each page has a vertical grid of images for each column. The problem is that for each page I need to use different amount of columns and rows. For instance, at page one I need 4 columns. 1st column - 4 images 2nd column - 3 images 3rd column - 1 image 4th column - 4 images I could create a whole document with Data Merge following this layout, but the problem comes when I need page two to have a diferent layout regarding columns and rows. For instance, page two now with 3 columns: 1st column - 1 image 2nd column - 4 images 3rd column - 1 images Is there a way to prepare this grid layout for each page individually with Data Marge? It should consider the amount of images in each vertical column grid and number of columns. I tried but im not sure if this was a clear explanation... Hope you have an answer! Thanks!! :)
This is great question and actually something I’ve ran in to in the past. The best way I went around this limitation is that I used Data Merge to merge the maximum amount of records then manually edited these issues after I was sure the data wasn’t going to change. Data merge is best for highly structured documents, but when I have customization like this I use data merge to get me to the halfway mark and then I adjust from there.
Hopefully you can help. I create a 200 page document that i created a list of 200 quotes in the csv file to be on. I followed the steps, placed the text box, linked the data source, the preview is correct, but when i export to pdf it seems to export each page 200 times and the final pdf only has a single record on each of the 200 pages. I chose all the records in the export and single record per page. I'm knocking my head against the wall.
i figure it out, sort of. I had to create a single page, not 200 , and data merge to it then export, which created the 200 pages, but wasn't what i was wanting necessarily.
Hi, yes so if you have data for 200 items all you will need is 1 page. This one page will get populated with the data from the CSV giving you the output of 200 total pages.
Im not sure I understand your question 100% but let me know if this helps. When you export to PDF in the Export to PDF options panel select the checkbox for “Create Separate PDF Files” then type “^P” or select “Page Number” from the little arrow right below said checkbox option. This should save all pages as separate PDF files. Hope this helps!
What's the difference between using Easy Catalog and using Data Merge? I need to automatically create many images (product kit images) with the same layout by changing the text and images within it... There's a way to do it using data merge?
I did a little bit of research on Easy Catalog and it sounds very much like similar things. I’m sure there are some variations in features but the main one is that Easy Catalog is an external plugin that more than likely will cost money. Data Merge on the other hand is already included or a part of Adobe InDesign if you have a current updated version of it. As you see on my video, in order to create alternate designs you’ll need to create a data excel sheet with the required fields and inputs. Link the data sheet to the layout and then assign the fields to each element in indesign I show this on the first half of the video. Watch the last half of my video to learn how to data merge images and also how to trouble shoot if something is not working.
How i can make this with multiple fields? For example, I have a spreadsheet that has several physical addresses. I would need one store address below the other in the art of indesign, there are hundreds... is it possible?
Yes, so essentially you will create new fields for each address. First you want to determine the maximum number of addresses then make the fields that many times. For example if you have max 5 addresses you will setup your data something like this: Name 1 | Address 1 | Name 2 | Address 2 | Name 3 | Address 3 | Name 4 | Address 4 | Name 5 | Address 5 Then just connect each name and address to the fields you need on your design document just like normal. I hope this makes sense, let me know if it helps. I think I can make a video that will explain it a little better so stay tuned! Thank you!
Hello Wim, thank you for your question. This is in fact something that I'm working to find a solution for. I ran in to this issue when running a product catalog that included the ® to be superscript. Is this what you mean? If not, I'd like to hear more about the issue you are experiencing.
@@axelbydesign thanks for the reaction. It's sort of what i mean. I want to import a text paragraph with pre-formatted elements like bold text, text breaks, etc... Now i just get text without formatting, just all in one block of text. 🥺
@Wim Meeus Unfortunately, there are certain limitations one of them being the problem you are mentioning. I have a solution that's almost counter intuitive and not as automated as I would like but it works (sometimes). Once my data is completely FINAL I just do the merge to help with inputing all of the information. Then under the Data Merge menu, I click on *"Create Merged Document"* Lastly, I manually format everything to my preferences. Hopefully Adobe releases an update of where the data can come through formatted correctly.
does this work for longer, more complex documents? for example, I have a Database and I can export it as a CSV file but the file has more extended text fields with commas.
Commas within your text fields should not be an issue, what causes issues is if you tab or format the text within the excel fields. For example, a formatted paragraph with tabs and enters will not translate on to the layout design inside InDesign
is it possible to export the single page pdf files already renamed? I mean automatically renamed during exportation. For example using the name of the person that you have in that page.
Hi again! I've had success with a previous practice file but now am getting an error message, 'The selected data source has one or more empty field names. Please fix the file or select another file'. I save my file as Comma Separated Values (.csv). Did I do something wrong? Or perhaps there's an issue with the data within the excel file? Thank you!!
Yes so make sure there aren’t any empty header fields or cells in between your data. For example, make sure all your cells are continuous and don’t skip any. Additionally, make sure there aren’t any unassigned tags on your InDesign file. You may have to reassign if you made any changes. For example if you changed your data file from “name” to “full name” but on your design it still says then that error may occur. How you would fix is by highlighting the full text box and reassigning to the new name. Let me know if this helps, I can help you troubleshoot further and get your error resolved. Thanks!
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Finally a tutorial that shows problems in data merge and how to solve them!!
Thank you, let me know if there’s any other questions or troubleshooting I could do on this topic.
Hello my friend, today is May 18, 2024 and I'm gonna start a new job in 10 days where, what you show in this video is a FUNDAMENTAL starting point for me because I didn't have an idea that you could do that in InDesign. Thank you!
You're awesome! Thank you for your clear, informative tutorial.
I've been using indesign for 5 years but I just happen to stumble upon this XD Thanks so much for this
you saved me literally HOURS of work! From the bottom of my soul: thanks!
Really great video, I worked with Data Merge on a previous job and couldn't remember how it worked. This is great as either a reminder of the tool, or an explanation for new users. Well done!
Thank you for your comment, I appreciate your feedback.
As someone with a Windows computer, if you need to copy lots of image filenames: select the files, Shift + Right Click, "Copy as Path".
Thanks for your comment and guidance on how to copy lots of image file name 👍
Dude, that is so sick! Thank you 5,000,000! I'm going to look like a frickin' rock star!
Hi, this worked! I use Variable Data sometimes at work, mainly with lots of numbers for floor stickers, simple black text on white background. I was looking to see if Variable Data is easier in InDesign or Illustrator. I think I've found my answer with your tutorial. Well done, Sir. Automatic New Subscriber! Thank you so much!
I’m glad this worked for you! Thanks for the sub, let me know if you have any questions regarding this or another process. I can certainly try to help further ✌🏼
Smart, clear to make this easy. MANY THANKS!
You're welcome!
This is very helpful. Thank you so much!
Super clear and useful tutorial - thankyou for making this !
Glad it was helpful!
Do you know if this is possible if the image frame is on a Parent page? I have a large document (1000 pages), and each page has an image frame that comes from a Parent page, but the merge only seems to work if the image frame is on the actual page. I really don't want to copy/paste the same image frame to all of my regular pages.
Спасибо из Владивостока. Полезное видео.
Love you bro
This was a great video! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial.
Thank you - just what I was looking for:)
nicely done👌
Thanks ✌️
Great job... thanks! Using this to make 90+ Achievement Awards for our cycling club.
Glad it helped!
Glad it helped!
I've been trying to figure this out! Thank you!
I'm glad I was able to help, thanks for watching!
Hey this is fantastic. Sorry total newbie here. How do I create 'the path' for the images. You look like you just copy and paste. This clearly isn't the case. Again apologies, how do I create the path for the images? Thanks
Wow, this is brilliant- you really deserve sooo much subscribers! 🙏
Can you make data merge into like an action/script where the exporting happens directly (or something) to automate even more? Or should I ask firstly if actions even exists in Indesign? I'm more used to Illustrator and have just started using Indesign, but data merge sounds like such a time saver.
Also- do you know of a way to automate hyperlinking in any way? I'm speaking about hyperlinks between different pages, boxes or numbers within a bigger document and not the hyperlinks used for a link to a webpage. Meaning, if one need to hyperlink hundreds of things, is there a way to do it fast and automated?
All the best and thanks for great content 👍
Hi, thanks for your comment. I haven't looked in to actions / scripts or I haven't had to use the feature but I will look in to it and plan to make a follow up video sometime soon.
It not only works with .csv but also with .txt, in my case, I had to save as UTF-16 Unicode Text (.txt) with Excel to make it work with Khmer language because the regular .csv option does not seem to allow special characters / foreign alphabets.
Edit: Just realized that it actually works with .csv as well if you click on the import options beforehand and specify UTF character encoding instead of the default ASCII.
This is great - well explained and easy to understand. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
So helpful!!
Glad it was helpful!
THANK YOU! What a time saver 🥳
Glad it helped!
Great video, thank you! Exactly what I was looking for.
so well explained - thank you/
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for that :)
How did you export to PDF so that it’s front-back-front-back of business card..? Going to work on QR gift cards soon, you’re a lifesaver!
Hi, thanks for your question. In my example you can see I have 2 pages, page one is front and page two is back. When you export if done properly the data will populate in that order (front-back-front-back). I hope this answers your question.
Boss!!!! thank you!
Thanks for watching, I’m glad it helped you out!
Thanks Gaona great resource..
Glad it was helpful!
Excelente video, muy útil.
Muchas gracias, espero y le ayude. Si tiene alguna pregunta también habló Español!
Nice video. Nicely presented. But, you missed the best feature - automatic imposition to a printer sheet!
That's a really good idea for a video, thanks for your comment!
I'm having an issue with overset text after merging. Is there a way to automatically manage a text attribute (horizontal scale) to make the text fit if it's overset?
Thank you for a great video. Do you know if it is possible to have a python program (or some other script) telling InDesign to update a documents data source and export images?
is there a way to automatically update a graphic content inside every table cell in indesign? ( like for example, change all the dimension of the graphic, problem is that theres like 200 pages of that table...
Very nice! Thank you:)
Thank you! Cheers!
anjo muito obrigada você mudou minha vida
De nada, que bom que ajudou 👍
How can this be used for a product catalogue with multiple product groups per page?
Nice, thank you for the video. I did notice some problems that the CSV file didn't special characters like Ž and ū is there a turnaround for this?
The only way, is kind of a pain but the only way I get it done at this time. Once you have your final data and good to output I would "Merge the document" this will open a new document with all the data converted in to pages and then at this point edit those special characters manually.
Is having a lot of info that goes in tables in Indesign possible with data merge? Also, I have different paragraphs with images. I am not sure if that will be practical
This is a great question, I will do some testing and see if theres anything I can do to help. And if you figured it out, I'd like to learn how.
Hi! Thanks for this video, it really helps to understand Data Merge. I have a question about this tool.
I need to prepare the layout of this document that has multiple pages. Each page has a vertical grid of images for each column.
The problem is that for each page I need to use different amount of columns and rows.
For instance, at page one I need 4 columns.
1st column - 4 images
2nd column - 3 images
3rd column - 1 image
4th column - 4 images
I could create a whole document with Data Merge following this layout, but the problem comes when I need page two to have a diferent layout regarding columns and rows.
For instance, page two now with 3 columns:
1st column - 1 image
2nd column - 4 images
3rd column - 1 images
Is there a way to prepare this grid layout for each page individually with Data Marge? It should consider the amount of images in each vertical column grid and number of columns.
I tried but im not sure if this was a clear explanation...
Hope you have an answer!
Thanks!! :)
This is great question and actually something I’ve ran in to in the past. The best way I went around this limitation is that I used Data Merge to merge the maximum amount of records then manually edited these issues after I was sure the data wasn’t going to change. Data merge is best for highly structured documents, but when I have customization like this I use data merge to get me to the halfway mark and then I adjust from there.
@@axelbydesign I see. Well I hope Adobe can add this feature some day, it would be a great time-saving. Thanks for your reply!
Hopefully you can help. I create a 200 page document that i created a list of 200 quotes in the csv file to be on. I followed the steps, placed the text box, linked the data source, the preview is correct, but when i export to pdf it seems to export each page 200 times and the final pdf only has a single record on each of the 200 pages. I chose all the records in the export and single record per page. I'm knocking my head against the wall.
i figure it out, sort of. I had to create a single page, not 200 , and data merge to it then export, which created the 200 pages, but wasn't what i was wanting necessarily.
Hi, yes so if you have data for 200 items all you will need is 1 page. This one page will get populated with the data from the CSV giving you the output of 200 total pages.
hi there! great video ❤ is there an option to export on card to one pdf? so i got multiple pdfs without saving them one by one? thanky ou
Im not sure I understand your question 100% but let me know if this helps. When you export to PDF in the Export to PDF options panel select the checkbox for “Create Separate PDF Files” then type “^P” or select “Page Number” from the little arrow right below said checkbox option. This should save all pages as separate PDF files. Hope this helps!
What's the difference between using Easy Catalog and using Data Merge?
I need to automatically create many images (product kit images) with the same layout by changing the text and images within it...
There's a way to do it using data merge?
I did a little bit of research on Easy Catalog and it sounds very much like similar things. I’m sure there are some variations in features but the main one is that Easy Catalog is an external plugin that more than likely will cost money.
Data Merge on the other hand is already included or a part of Adobe InDesign if you have a current updated version of it.
As you see on my video, in order to create alternate designs you’ll need to create a data excel sheet with the required fields and inputs. Link the data sheet to the layout and then assign the fields to each element in indesign I show this on the first half of the video. Watch the last half of my video to learn how to data merge images and also how to trouble shoot if something is not working.
Hi Alex, im having trouble using this tool to merge into a 118 page lanyard file please help!
Hi Ashley, how can I help?
Thanks man
loveuuuu
How i can make this with multiple fields? For example, I have a spreadsheet that has several physical addresses. I would need one store address below the other in the art of indesign, there are hundreds... is it possible?
Yes, so essentially you will create new fields for each address. First you want to determine the maximum number of addresses then make the fields that many times. For example if you have max 5 addresses you will setup your data something like this:
Name 1 | Address 1 | Name 2 | Address 2 | Name 3 | Address 3 | Name 4 | Address 4 | Name 5 | Address 5
Then just connect each name and address to the fields you need on your design document just like normal.
I hope this makes sense, let me know if it helps. I think I can make a video that will explain it a little better so stay tuned!
Thank you!
create spreadsheet like new table? or is that excel
The program I'm using is Excel
Nice. Do you know if it is possible to get pre-formatted text into InDesign? When i import text it loses the breaks and other formatted elements? 🤔
Hello Wim, thank you for your question. This is in fact something that I'm working to find a solution for. I ran in to this issue when running a product catalog that included the ® to be superscript. Is this what you mean? If not, I'd like to hear more about the issue you are experiencing.
@@axelbydesign thanks for the reaction. It's sort of what i mean. I want to import a text paragraph with pre-formatted elements like bold text, text breaks, etc... Now i just get text without formatting, just all in one block of text. 🥺
@Wim Meeus Unfortunately, there are certain limitations one of them being the problem you are mentioning. I have a solution that's almost counter intuitive and not as automated as I would like but it works (sometimes). Once my data is completely FINAL I just do the merge to help with inputing all of the information. Then under the Data Merge menu, I click on *"Create Merged Document"* Lastly, I manually format everything to my preferences. Hopefully Adobe releases an update of where the data can come through formatted correctly.
does this work for longer, more complex documents? for example, I have a Database and I can export it as a CSV file but the file has more extended text fields with commas.
Commas within your text fields should not be an issue, what causes issues is if you tab or format the text within the excel fields. For example, a formatted paragraph with tabs and enters will not translate on to the layout design inside InDesign
is it possible to export the single page pdf files already renamed? I mean automatically renamed during exportation. For example using the name of the person that you have in that page.
yes, it is possible, but you need to buy a script that lets you do that.
any idea how data merge works for multiple pages? say for fields such as address, bio on a new page?
There is a way, but it goes much more in detail than this video covers. I will plan to create a follow up video and show that process!
@@axelbydesign yes please that will be good to have!
Hi again! I've had success with a previous practice file but now am getting an error message, 'The selected data source has one or more empty field names. Please fix the file or select another file'. I save my file as Comma Separated Values (.csv). Did I do something wrong? Or perhaps there's an issue with the data within the excel file? Thank you!!
Yes so make sure there aren’t any empty header fields or cells in between your data. For example, make sure all your cells are continuous and don’t skip any.
Additionally, make sure there aren’t any unassigned tags on your InDesign file. You may have to reassign if you made any changes. For example if you changed your data file from “name” to “full name” but on your design it still says then that error may occur. How you would fix is by highlighting the full text box and reassigning to the new name.
Let me know if this helps, I can help you troubleshoot further and get your error resolved. Thanks!