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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)

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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LaurentDesignbureau
LaurentDesignbureauCorrect answer
Inspiring
December 3, 2024

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...

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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...

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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. 

 

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    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)

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    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 

     

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    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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