Data merge Multiple Record Layout goes off the page, not matching preview

Question

Hi, I'm trying to use the Multiple Record Layout option in Indesign's data merge to tile a page of these "tags" from a simple spreadsheet but when I set it up, what I get when creating a merged document doesn't match the preview

Here is my tab-delimeted .txt data that I am only using the first column of

Here is how I set up my page

With these options selected for Multiple Record Layout, the preview looks perfect, just what I wanted

But when I actually CREATE the merged document, it looks like this:

Can't figure out what I could be doing wrong. I'm pretty sure I've done multiple record layouts before that haven't turned out like this. Any help?

Peter Spier · Accepted Answer

I might go even further and put the merge field on an otherwise blank page and the circles on a different Parent Page and apply that parent after the merge. I'm guessing those circles are die lines for cutting, or possibly placeholders for precut labels that aren't actually required except to check positioning.

Also I'm on record here more than a few times as advixing against using preview with multiple record per page merges -- it ofter triggers a corruption of the template unless you "undo" after the preview and before running the merge.

Colin Flashman · Answer

Looks like everything has been set on the parent page. What happens if you put the static bit (the circle shapes) on the parent page only, and then put your variable data text frame on page 1 and then try?

I'm not a fan of InDesign's multiple record feature. I've written about some of its "behaviours" here: https://colecandoo.com/2013/12/28/data-merge-multiple-record-madness/

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