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steveg87687011
Inspiring
July 6, 2018
Answered

Source of linked named cells from Excel files

  • July 6, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 830 views

Hi/help
I'm importing/linking into InDesign a number of 'named' ranges of data (x180), from multiple worksheets (x30) from one Excel file.

Is there any way in InDesign to identify the source of the data of each of the links, rather than just the overall Excel filename as listed in the 'Links' palette?

MTIA

Steve

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer vinny38

    Hi!

    Maybe WordsFlow  »  Em Software plugin is what you need.

    You can install a demo version to see if it suits your needs.

    In the links panel options, you can choose to display sheet and cell range.

    See example (I know it's French, but I'm sure you'll figure it out):

    3 replies

    N
    nicholasw11923324
    Participating Frequently
    September 27, 2022

    If your table happens to have a header, you can do a work around where you simply as the first row of the excel sheet. Not a perfect solution, but can help.

    vinny38
    vinny38Correct answer
    Legend
    July 9, 2018

    Hi!

    Maybe WordsFlow  »  Em Software plugin is what you need.

    You can install a demo version to see if it suits your needs.

    In the links panel options, you can choose to display sheet and cell range.

    See example (I know it's French, but I'm sure you'll figure it out):

      S
      steveg87687011Author
      Inspiring
      July 9, 2018

      Hi Vinny

      it looks as if your suggestion does what I need.

      I'll download a trial and give it a go - thanks very much!

      Having downloaded the trial it does work nicely, and gives me the handy visual reference you demonstrated.

      Unfortunately, when re-importing the data into an already styled table using the 'WordsFlow' method, the existing table/cell styling is removed and requires re-applying. If I were beginning the job from scratch it would be the perfect tool - as I am already so far through this job it would be adding to my workload.

      Steve

      L
      Community Expert
      LaubenderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 6, 2018

      Hi Steve,

      I don't think so.

      Even with scripting you cannot tell what worksheet is used after placing and linking the Excel file.

      At least I do not know a way…

      Regards,
      Uwe

      S
      steveg87687011Author
      Inspiring
      July 9, 2018

      Hi Uwe, thanks for your answer.

      I wonder if I'm the only person who finds this inconvenient?

      I'm creating hundreds of specification sheets from data contained in one multi-worksheet Excel file.

      Many of the spec sheets are similar, allowing me to 'save as', change product name, replace a couple of images and then relink the data source to the correct 'named' cells.

      Unfortunately it's not just a case of importing one 'named group' of cells, as there are instances on some sheets of blank cells that are not required.

      It would save me a lot of time if I could quickly see/check that the correct data is in the correct sheet.

      As the InDesign file must know where the data is it seems odd not to have the facility to display it?

      I'll post my first feature request!

      Steve

      L
      Community Expert
      LaubenderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 9, 2018

      Hi Steve,

      after posting your feature request, please publish the link here so we could vote for it.
      Thanks.

      Regards,
      Uwe

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