Batch export PDF/PNG with custom file name

[default1ep727ek5sdt]

Hi there,
I'm still fairly new to Indesign, so hope you can help me out. I import a .csv spreadsheet that creates x datasets with different headlines, images and a source - it is working.
However, I do not know how to batch export these with a custom name for each. Seems it will only let me choose exports from a folder and name them as the dataset name, or filename + number, etc.

Ideally, I would like to add a forth column to my spreadsheet that has the correct file name for each dataset, and then make it so that I can run batch (or a script?) in Indesign and it exports them as pdf with correct names for each file. See 3 variables (incl. image) below for 7 datasets in this example:

I also need to take those same files and export them as .png with the same file name, however, I guess that is achieved in the same way.

Help is much appreciated,
Kind regards

[Mike Bro]

Hello @default1ep727ek5sdt,

It's definitely doable via scripting, but there's more details that would need to be known...

After you do the data merge is each dataset it's own page?

What would be the preference setting for the png output files?

What would the pdf export preset be?

Where do the files get exported to?

Regards,

Mike

[default1ep727ek5sdt]

Thanks for getting back to me.

I have no experience with scripting for InDesign whatsoever, but would appreciate any help.

I have a doc with 3 variables (header, image, footer) and I simply import a variable library (.csv). Not sure if they are on their own pages - I mean, can rotate through them by clicking the left/right arrows or selecting a specific one from the dropdown (referring to the attached picture in my post).

Not sure what you mean by png preference setting or pdf export preset. Just a normal pdf. For the PNG i want to save in bigger format which I am able to do with batch - just not for datasets.
I just want everything to be exported to a folder, say called "export", and ideally separated into 2 subfolders, say "pdf"and "png".

[default1ep727ek5sdt]

Btw when naming the pdf's and png's it would be totally fine if they could be named the same as the individual header variables for each file (object name under the variable 'HeadlineVariable' in the picture in the original post)

[Mike Bro]

Hello @default1ep727ek5sdt,

What application are you working in, Indesign or Illustrator?? The screen shot in your first post is from Illustrator NOT Indesign.

You may be posting your question in the wrong forum.

Regards,

Mike

[default1ep727ek5sdt]

Hi again,

My bad. Currently working in Illustrator.
Am also working on some automation for Indesign so that is why I got them mixed up.

Kind regards,

[default1ep727ek5sdt]

I do not really know where to go from here. If I need a script - fine, but then I could really use some help creating it to suit my needs.
Also, I do not get why a script would be needed for such basic functionality. Especially since uploading and using a variable library is a native option.. what use is this if files can't be exported with custom names (and in pdf and png)?

[Mike Bro]

Hello @default1ep727ek5sdt,

Re: I do not really know where to go from here.

Like I stated, if this is a Illustrator question, post it in the Illustrator forum.

Regards,

Mike