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steveg87687011
Inspiring
September 17, 2018
Answered

Import images referenced in Excel file

  • September 17, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 6984 views

Hi

I've used data merge extensively in the past and know it's possible to import images referenced in an excel file.

I'm currently producing Specification sheets linked to data in a constantly updating master database, using 'create links when placing text and spreadsheet files'.

I would like to be able to import a number of icons/logos (which vary from product to product).

Is it possible to do this using the standard 'create links' procedure?

MTIA

Steve

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer jane-e

    Hi Jane-e

    I use Excel on a Mac at the office - I use a pc at home but don't have excel - I use Libre Office as it's free.

    Apparently when you insert a picture in Excel it sits on an invisible layer that floats over the background.  I found a tip online - I'm sure what it says below is what I did.

    1. Resize the inserted picture so that it fits properly within a cell, make the cell bigger if needed, or merge a few cells.
    2. Right-click the picture and select Format Picture…
    3. On the Format Picture pane, switch to the Size & Properties tab, and select the Move and size with cells option.

    Good luck

    Steve


    Hi Steve,

    I played with it some more and lo and behold, I got it to work, and I hope it's the way you want it to.

    First, know that Option + resize will snap to the edges of the cell in Excel, but be careful not to distort.

    I copied the Excel table to Word and saw that it had automatically anchored the images, and it appears that Excel is now anchoring images as well, but we can't see hidden characters, so that gave me an idea.

    I saved the Excel file in Excel format.

    In InDesign, I chose File > Place > Shift + Open to get Options

    The two changes are made to the defaults are:

    • Table: Formatted table
    • Include Inline Graphics (enabled)

    Is this what you are looking for?

    3 replies

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2018

    steveg87687011  wrote

    I'm currently producing Specification sheets linked to data in a constantly updating master database, using 'create links when placing text and spreadsheet files'.

    When you say “linked to data”, can you explain further? I see a couple of things this might mean.

    S
    steveg87687011Author
    Inspiring
    September 18, 2018

    Hi Jane-e

    I have an InDesign file into which I import data from an Excel file (currently just text and digits). I use the 'create links when placing text and spreadsheet files' preference so that when the Excel database is updated, the InDesign file updates accordingly. The Excel file contains areas of data/cells that are not needed. Because of this I create 'named ranges' in Excel of the parts I do require and import them as separate blocks of data.

    There are a number of logos/icons relevant to each worksheet/product that I currently place manually, the usual way, in InDesign. It would be of great benefit if I could place/import these logos into the Excel file and place them in the InDesign document as a named range from Excel as I do the text/digits.

    I can create a named range in Excel that contains an icon/logo, but the field is blank when imported into InDesign.

    Steve

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2018

    If you put the logo itself into Excel, that won’t work out of the box. Sometimes scripters work magic, and you might be able to hire one.

    Follow Eric’s link above and test it with 3 or 4 images. The header for the column has to have the @ symbol, i.e. “@logos”, and the images have to either be in a certain folder or the entire path has to be included. It should be explained in that link.

    InDesign will link to the original images, not to the ones that are inside Excel.

    Try it with a few and report back if it works.

    Eric Dumas
    Community Expert
    Eric DumasCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2018

    Hi,

    You should check what variables can do for you, or custom scripts.

    This is outside my expertise.

    Eric Dumas
    Community Expert
    Eric DumasCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 17, 2018

    Hi,

    It is possible if you start with a @ symbol to reference the location path of each image.

    look at Merge data to create form letters, envelopes, or mailing labels in Adobe InDesign  and scroll down the part about adding images

    S
    steveg87687011Author
    Inspiring
    September 17, 2018

    Hi Eric

    thanks. I thought that the '@' function import was only valid if using the Data Merge function.

    Data Merge isn't useable in this instance as I don't have a range of data under set headings.

    Steve

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