Data driven graphics XML from Excel/Filemaker to Illustrator

[_Tina_Smale_]

I produce astrological calendars in Illustrator and I would like to make the whole process quicker by using data driven graphics to load the mass of data they require. I have set up my template page using the variables in Illustrator and have the data available in either Excel or Filemaker (preferable from Excel).

The Adobe help files make the whole process seem very easy but when I try to load the xml created by either Excel or Filemaker I just get error messages. I even get error messages if I change blocks of data in the xml created from Illustrator. I have read that the xml needs to be modified so that Illustrator can understand it and I really need to know how to do this.

I am really hoping someone can help me to move on to the next stage so I can speed up my design process as I am in the 4th year of designing these and its getting tedious putting all the data in by hand!

[JETalmage]

You might care to take a look at the script named JET_VariablesFTROU.jsx, described here.

Using the script, I can paste tab-delimited text (exported from FMP or whatever) into an ordinary textframe in AI, then run the script to create datasets in AI's Variables palette, along with bound text objects on the page.

JET

[_Tina_Smale_]

That's brilliant.

I have pasted text from my Excel file into Illustrator and made it into data sets with your script which produced bound text objects which I placed into position.

However, I need to be able to set those bound text objects in place just the once and then each year to be able to update the information without having to place the text objects again which is the lengthy process. How would I go about doing this?

I also need to be able to place images which are shown as image paths in Excel. Is this possible?

Much appreciation, Tina