Repeat Tool is Awesome, Now Let's Add Editable Text

[Sean5E83]

The new repeat features are great.  Here's hoping for a simple repeat with editable text button so that we can simply copy from spreadsheets and edit multiple items all at one time.  Think of thousands of ADA placards, raffle tickets, or parking passes with individually editable number fields that could also be edited as a group from a list.  I often come across problems like that where I copy lists of text from a spreadsheet and paste them into illustrator.  I know it's possible to do what I'm asking for now but this new feature is oh so close to a one click solution!  

[Doug A Roberts · Accepted solution]

Perhaps you should describe your workflow. I don't think the repeat functions add anything more than a new UI for existing capabilities, so it may be possible to achieve what you want.

Have you tried out data merge?

[Sean5E83]

Oh god, what if the tool that Ive needed has existed all along and I've been unaware... 

Lets say I was creating raffle tickets.  I would design the ticket layout and create multiples horizontally by using the Effect-Transform tools and then create the text and adjust leading between lines using the Character tools.  Oh no.........................................   ..

..

data merge

[Sean5E83]

Thanks Doug,

Imagine somebody who just discovered data merge and variables.  That's me.  I'll use them every day.

Thank you so much

[Doug A Roberts · Accepted solution]

I'm not a user of it myself so can't offer any help, but also have a look at @Silly-V 's Variable Importer script:

https://github.com/Silly-V/Adobe-Illustrator/blob/master/Variable%20Importer/VariableImporter.jsx