Skip to main content
Kelsey Todd
Kelsey Todd
Known Participant
September 7, 2022
Question

Empty rows appearing when I copy from Excel and Paste in InDesign

  • September 7, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 1458 views

I'm replacing data in a table in a multi-page catalog document. In the past, I've been able to copy a column (or multiple columns) from Excel, highlight the corresponding columns in InDesign and then paste them. And it's worked as expected--the data in InDesign is updated with the proper data. But, for the last year, when I try to copy and paste from Excel into an InDesign table, InDesign creates extra rows and columns of empty data. 

 

In the second part of this short video, I highlight the cells in InDesign that shouldn't be there. 

 

 

 

2 replies

L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 12, 2022

Hi @Kelsey Todd ,

as far as I know in Excel you can hide columns and rows. That's an Excel feature.

This feature is not available in InDesign. Means if hidden rows from Excel are imported to InDesign the table rows do show.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

    R
    Robert2807422137rd
    Known Participant
    April 29, 2025

    I would be inclined to believe that, except...

     

    Every other row in the InDesign table is now blank. 14 rows of data have become 28 rows, and every other one is blank.

    I can confirm the excel file does not have every other row hidden.

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    April 29, 2025
    quote

    I would be inclined to believe that, except...

     

    Every other row in the InDesign table is now blank. 14 rows of data have become 28 rows, and every other one is blank.

    I can confirm the excel file does not have every other row hidden.


    By @Robert2807422137rd

     

    Can you share your "Excel" file? 

     

    Was it created in Excel - or exported as Excel format - from Google Sheets or something? 

     

    Can you re-save it in Excel? 

     

      E
      Community Expert
      Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 10, 2022

      This is happening because of merged cells or when someone has inserted a tab or a paragraph return in the cells. 

      You might need to clean up  your excel file before importing it.

      Or bring it in on the pasteboard and tidy it up and then paste it over. 

       

      But seems like someone is messing up the Excel cells by adding returns or merging cells.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices