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LaurentDesignbureau
LaurentDesignbureau
Inspiring
December 2, 2024
Answered

Import structured CSV data (into textbox not to multiple pages) using Merge Data (or other method)

  • December 2, 2024
  • 10 replies
  • 1279 views

We would like to import structured data from a website to a print document. (artactuel.lu)

The developers could export the content the way me (graphic designer) an InDesign need it.

These 2 screenshots show the existing print document and a table I created to show the data structure.

I would at first like to know if this is possible. Any more detailed suggestions are welcome.
(sorry for may bad english)

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Correct answer LaurentDesignbureau

If it's TEXT ONLY - no Anchored / InLine graphics - then there is a 3rd option - InDesign Tagged Text.

 

It's kind of HTML - and you could export text fully styled from your database. 

 

You can then skip missing parts and still have everything styled correctly. 

 

There are not much specification about it - so the best approach is to prepare a sample layout in InDesign and export and then check contents of the produced file. 

 

There is also 4th option - IDML - but that would be rather too extreme solution for you. 

 


Oh yes that's cool!
I think Tagged Text is my solution. Thank you.
I have to experiment a little bit more...

10 replies

LaurentDesignbureau
LaurentDesignbureauAuthor
Inspiring
December 3, 2024

I am a Step further.
Still have to find out how to get nice multiple lines seperated by line breake for the info part...

Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
December 3, 2024

As discussed in the thread provided - import it as a table - then convert to text - no need for DataMerge. 

 

You can either use my method - style each column first then convert to text - or convert to text then use Next Style method. 

 

    LaurentDesignbureau
    LaurentDesignbureauAuthor
    Inspiring
    December 3, 2024

    Ok, thank you, I now understand your method of importing a table and styling columns (next style will not work in my case as the data is 'irregular').
    But isn't that a pity as my data will be exported out of  a website database and so can be exported errorless and formated in a precisely needed way. (for the moment I am just testing with a handbuild table to find out what InDesign needs and give this information to the developers)

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    December 2, 2024

    Please check this thread: 

     

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/one-line-bold-in-a-list/td-p/15000172 

     

    LaurentDesignbureau
    LaurentDesignbureauAuthor
    Inspiring
    December 3, 2024

    Thank you, the thread gave me some answers.
    I can not find out how to merge my data into one single text box instead of multiple pages.

    I was able to import my data and format it more or less to my needs but I always end up with multiple pages containing one line of the Excell sheet. I would like to to have the lines separated by a Return.

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