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scoobitydapdap
scoobitydapdap
Participant
May 18, 2017
Answered

Making a list of names

  • May 18, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 3383 views

Hi!

I'm working on a graduation program and need to make a list of all the graduate names. I have to format them in this way:

Lastname, Firstname - Major

I was given all the names on an excel sheet. Is there an easy way to input and format the names in this way?

Thank you!! (This is my first time asking a question on here haha)

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer xavixanxe

    Hi,

    I agree with using data merge. I made a video to explain it. I have indesign in spanish, but hope you will see how to do it.

    I use also a script to merge frames, you can find it here: http://ajarproductions.com/blog/2008/11/28/merge-textframes-extension-for-adobe-indesign/

    Video here: https://youtu.be/Eifo-A_g8KM

    4 replies

    scoobitydapdap
    scoobitydapdapAuthor
    Participant
    May 18, 2017

    Thank you all for the responses!

    I'll try them out later tonight and see how it goes!

    xavixanxe
    xavixanxeCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    May 18, 2017

    Hi,

    I agree with using data merge. I made a video to explain it. I have indesign in spanish, but hope you will see how to do it.

    I use also a script to merge frames, you can find it here: http://ajarproductions.com/blog/2008/11/28/merge-textframes-extension-for-adobe-indesign/

    Video here: https://youtu.be/Eifo-A_g8KM

      M
      Migintosh
      Legend
      May 18, 2017

      Funny, but I forgot I had that script from Ajar. I agree this would make using Data Merge for this project much easier.

      amaarora
      amaarora
      Inspiring
      May 18, 2017

      Hi,

      I would rather use Data merge after saving my excel as .txt file (tab delimited). You can read about Data Merge here.. Merge data to create form letters, envelopes, or mailing labels in Adobe InDesign

      -Aman

      M
      Migintosh
      Legend
      May 18, 2017

      You could save the Excel file as a text file (either plain text or rich text) and place it.

      scoobitydapdap
      scoobitydapdapAuthor
      Participant
      May 18, 2017

      The names are separated in columns on the excel sheet though. And I have to manually format each name as "Last, First - Major". So like adding the comma in between and italicizing the major. I was wondering if there was a way that I can apply this format quickly to each name. Idk if I'm making sense haha.

      But thanks for the help! I really appreciate it!

      Willi Adelberger
      Community Expert
      Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 18, 2017

      If you don't want to have them formatted in columns, create Character Styles for different formatting and create a Paragraph Style and use those Character Styles in the Nested Styles section of the paragraph style. You can insert no style up to the – and from there use the Character Style for the position.

      Take also care to use the correct dash.

      In US English it would be the M-dash — without spaces before and after,

      in German (DE and AT) it would be the N-dash – with space before and after.

      But never use the normal hyphen - in this case.

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