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T
Timmy_B_YFC
Participant
September 4, 2015
Question

Scripting export from spreadsheet

  • September 4, 2015
  • 2 replies
  • 1248 views

I would think this is a common thing that could be done but I've looked for a while and can't see anyone anywhere who may have done this.

I am creating a template certificate and wondered if there was a possibility of mapping information from a spreadsheet onto the design.

EG. A list of names. You could have a list of names in excel and get illustrator to pull the information from that spreadsheet and produce a pdf with the persons name in the aproropiate place/field in a respecified font and alignment.

Is that possible. It would be great for creating things like name badges and mass graphics with slight differences.

Complete newbie at forums so sorry if this is in anyway answered elsewhere or incredibly simple to do.

Timmy B

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

W
W_J_T
Inspiring
September 4, 2015

Here is a good basic overview of using variable data in Illustrator using its built in variable panel features for data-driven graphics:

‪Quick Tip: Data-Driven Graphics with Illustrator's Variables‬

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K76h8ke9XQ

If you need/want to take that further then definitely look into Silly-V's Variable Importer script above.

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Off Topic: Silly-V , when you gonna build a version of making Illustrator-friendly XML conversion into your script or sub script for offline use? ;-)

Silly-V
Silly-V
Legend
September 4, 2015

Hey W_J_T, using VariableImporter.jsx allows you to keep the converted spreadsheet XML file for your own purposes, using the "Keep XML" checkbox.

W
W_J_T
Inspiring
September 4, 2015

How does that differ from the online tools you linked to or the need for them, in case you wish to process XML as the initial input? I guess I was just confused why you referenced them?

Silly-V
Silly-V
Legend
September 4, 2015

You can check this out: Illustrator Variable Data - The EASY way! - YouTube
And get a script from here: https://github.com/Silly-V/Adobe-Illustrator/blob/master/Variable%20Importer/VariableImporter.jsx

This actually has been an obscure and not easily-accessible feature of Illustrator, but this script makes it easier.

To quickly make an Illustrator-friendly XML file using online apps, you can try these sites: Free Online Illustrator Variables XML editor , or Excel(CSV) – Illustrator XML Converter

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