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tesshughes
Participant
April 30, 2018
Answered

How to troubleshoot data merge?

  • April 30, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 1375 views

I created a .csv file using Quip's spreadsheet option that contains text that has commas and apostrophes. I've figured out how to maintain commas, but  haven't been able to find any real help with apostrophes. The .csv is reading them correctly but when I import them using data merge, they become ’. I've tried changing the import options but it has been no help since it will only change them to f??

Also, is there anyway to get data merge to recognize formatting within a .csv such as bold, italics, other special character such as bullets, or any other style than what the format of the singular box contains?

Any assistance on troubleshooting each of those would be fantastic and appreciated.

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Jeffrey_Smith

To maintain apostrophes, you will need to save source data file with UTF-8 encoding.

2 replies

J
Community Expert
Jeffrey_SmithCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 2, 2018

To maintain apostrophes, you will need to save source data file with UTF-8 encoding.

    T
    tesshughesAuthor
    Participant
    May 3, 2018

    After seeing your comment, I ended up checking back into my process if I maybe wasn't selecting the right thing which it ended up being me not selecting the correct option in encoding and if I did I ended up doing a different thing when importing. Thank you!

    S
    SJRiegel
    Legend
    April 30, 2018

    I can only address the formatting question - CSV files cannot carry formatting; they are plain text only files.

    If there is a pattern to the formatting you need, you could use GREP Styles or Nested Styles to apply the formatting automatically within InDesign.

    T
    tesshughesAuthor
    Participant
    May 2, 2018

    Thank you. Is there a way to have GREP/Nested styles work after a data merge is done(content that is imported afterwards)? 

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 2, 2018

    tesshughes  wrote

    Is there a way to have GREP/Nested styles work after a data merge is done? 

    After Data Merge is done (Create Merged Document was executed), the new document's content is no different from any other static content, and any styles, standard, Nested, GREP, etc. may be applied.

    The better way, however, is to formulate your styles and apply them to the Data Merge fields before merging.

    It works either way, but depending on the size and scope of the merge/document, styling before merging is typically a lot less work.

    I don't use Quip, and for what it's worth, I can't reproduce your apostrophe problem when merging with data of Excel origin.

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