Data Merge - how to update my in design file after ive made amendments to my excel.

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
July 12, 2019
3 replies
5768 views

I created an excel doc with 72 different items with various data such as description, code, price etc. I used the data merge option in indesign and have created a catalog of all my items. Now I need to change the prices, I change them in my excel re save as a CSV file. When I go to my indesign file, re select my data source and select update data source it only updates the 1st item. Is there a way of updating all 72, or do I have to select each one and update separately, which would probably just be easier to hand type them in instead. Also "update content in data fields" always remains greyed out, not sure if this has anything to do with it.

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Peter Villevoye

Community Expert

The warning for the updated linked CSV file is only valid for the InDesign template – not for the generated InDesign file with the 72 records (it has no link to the data). So you just have to discard the earlier generated file and re-run the whole set.

Colin Flashman

Community Expert

The "update content in data fields" is only available in a merge that has been created using fields placed on a master page (Merge data to create form letters, envelopes, or mailing labels in Adobe InDesign ). I've also found that if data is edited post-merge (i.e. cut and pasted records from one text frame to another) this can create problems as well.

If the answer wasn't in my post, perhaps it might be on my blog at colecandoo!

L

lindseya7900262

Participant

I am having the same issue. It will update the day I do the merge but when I come back to my document a while later it deletes all the information. So, the update content in data fields tool is basically useless? The links just don't maintain if you start editing in Indesign? The solution is to just remerge and only make edits to the indesign file when you are sure the info is correct?