Import Excel File into Illustrator for Individual Text Objects

[GODWIN OBAMS]

I'm unsure of the correct terms to use so I attached the files. Kindly assist, I want to automate the transfer of the figures from the xlsx file to the illustrator file, I spend excessive hours making my designs, sourcing, and editing images, so I need to save the time spent on transferring these figures. Thanks.

[branched to new thread by moderator]

[hhas01]

That can be automated. We would also need to see several examples of the finished artworks to determine the best way to do it and how much work is involved.

[GODWIN OBAMS]

Oh Great, they all typically look like that with variations in the overall design (Font styles, background) and the position of items and shapes...

So the automation, How?

 

[Monika Gause]

You can use variables to achieve that.

You might want to use the Variable importer script in your workflow. https://www.hypertransitory.com/blog/2015/04/26/illustrator-variable-data/ 

[hhas01]

@MONIKA: Can Vasily’s VariableImporter script insert multiple spreadsheet rows into a single artwork? (I was under impression it worked much like AI’s own Variable Data feature: 1 row = 1 artwork.)

If you look at OP’s supplied Excel and artwork screenshot, you’ll see the Excel is structured in blocks of 9+ rows representing the 9 special offers for that week. There is 1 row per sku, and the artwork has nine offers to populate from these rows. (For offers which have >1 sku, e.g. the DUDU FRUIT DRINK 500ML has 4 variants, I assume OP’s brand guidelines dictate how to fit them into the available space.) Can Vasily’s VariableImporter can handle that level of complexity?

[Monika Gause]

The variable importer script can only do what the variable function in Illustrator can do. It helps with importing the file and associating it with the variables, but within the bounds that the variable function sets.

[hhas01]

Sounds like a script is the way to go them. OP is welcome to DM me for a quote; FMCG artwork automation is my area of expertise.

[hhas01]

If the artwork is built in InDesign, you may be able to insert the Excel text into it using ID’s built-in Data Merge feature. You would have to ask on the InDesign forum if it can be done with ID’s data merge and style rules, or if it requires scripting.

To do it in Illustrator, you will need a script. Maybe a day’s work to write. If you don’t know JavaScript, myself or someone else here can quote you a price to write it for you. We’d need the .ai template file(s) to be automated, plus 2–4 finished .ai files which you’ve previously built by hand so we see how the generated artwork should look.

Please DM me if you wish to discuss over email.

[GODWIN OBAMS]

Oh not at all Jane, I want them transferred into respective layers in a flyer design with multiple artboards, containing multiple groups.

[jane-e]

@GODWIN OBAMS 

Do you want it to be in a table as it is in Excel? Illustrator does not have a table feature, but Adobe InDesign does if you have that.

The best you can do in Illustrator is to use and set tabs.

Jane