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DirkDenys
Participant
April 13, 2020
Answered

CSV File import in Illustrator (Var data)

  • April 13, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 7168 views

I tried a lot, but I simply cannot import a simple CSV file (from Excel)0
Every time the error pops up : "The incoming variable library is invalid"

Is there anyone, who works on PC (win 10 build 1903) with Illustrator CC version 24.something
who can succesfully import a CSV file with just two columns (Name and Number for example) 
and make multiple datasets from these?

Thanks in advance!


This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Test Screen Name

Please explain the exact steps by which you make the CSV file from Excel.  I notice it does not have commas but semi-colons, try fixing that.

3 replies

Z
zaid5ECD
Participant
July 9, 2024

There should be no space between words in titles. Instead of writing (num ID), write (num_Id) and the problem will be solved

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DirkDenysAuthor
Participant
April 13, 2020

Thank you very much Test_Screen_Name 🙂

You solved my issue. My seperator is set wrong in my regional settings.
I did this for a bug with another software, and now that you mentioned
the semi-colons, it came back to mind.

Thank you very much for helping me out on this one!

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
April 13, 2020

How exactly, step by step, and with what exact settings in detail, do you make the CSV? Perhaps you could share a sample (with no personal data).

D
DirkDenysAuthor
Participant
April 13, 2020

No probs, here is the example :

 

My illustrator file, with the variables defined (open the variables palette via window-variables)
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1C5jgHsDoOoX8wzcj2GNEuUKUNZAWeF61 

And then in the palette, choose load variable library, and select the csv file

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LXjZqrlsveHq1PyYNbg1f1roMD-WFBtV 

(the csv file was made via this excel file : https://drive.google.com/open?id=14CsNESvxsHjXmafCUb9q7m7DgEigYwKS )

I also tried the Vardata script importer, and it is nice tool, but has some hickups. I simply cannot
believe that a simple var data workflow (via csv) works perfect in both photoshop and indesign, but would
be such a hassle in illustrator. And for the moment I really need the illustrator workflow)
I must be overlooking something very simple I suppose ...

Thank you for the quick answer!

 

 

    T
    Test Screen NameCorrect answer
    Legend
    April 13, 2020

    Please explain the exact steps by which you make the CSV file from Excel.  I notice it does not have commas but semi-colons, try fixing that.

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