Auto populate from excel

[JayIKEA]

I am trying to make some labels in indesign.  But we have 1000+ to make.  Is there a way that Indesign can auto-populate individual labels from an excel sheet?

[James Gifford—NitroPress · Accepted solution]

You probably want to look at InDesign's Data Merge feature. All you should have to do is export the Excel data in a compatible format such as CSV.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

If those labels are so simple - why not to do them directly from WORD - or even Excel ??

Using InDesign is a bit overkill...

[JayIKEA]

The printers we are sending to wants the files as PDF... i figure its easier to export a batch in indesign, no?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

You can print / export - even directly - from WORD / Excel to PDF.

[m1b]

Just my 2 cents: if you have both Word and Indesign available—use Indesign! I find indesign much nicer to use and certainly no more complicated than Word. Just my opinion. 🙂

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

But in order to generate those labels in the InDesign - you need a lot of extra steps - prepare file for DataMerge and a lot of setting up in the InDesign. 

In Word - it's just a case of defining page size + setting each paragraph to start on a new page + point size + center justification + space before - and print or export to PDF.

In Excel - even easier - select column with data, then set column width to label width, row height to label height, point size - column is still selected, vert + horiz center - print to PDF. 

Or Word can be done like Excel - as a table. 

[m1b]

Sure, Robert, if you intend a minimum-viable-design (ie. you don't have a design and mostly don't care what it looks like). Otherwise it is almost always much more difficult in Word or Excel. This is my experience, but it really depends on your graphic design requirements. My intention is not to argue the merits, I only posted because I wanted OP to have another valid opinion. If their use case is more like yours, then they can do it your way if they like. 🙂

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Of course, if you need more than a simple design - InDesign would be very good - but, have you seen OP's screenshots from the opening post? 

[m1b]

Still can't know. Even the simplest design may have rigid design constraints. Precise positioning for example. Anyway, the OP will decide—probably already has by the looks of it.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I think there won't be anything special - check the nick - IKEA... 

Just plain labels with product's ID or aisle location...