Cannot merge data successfully in InDesign

[Paulo Vitor25721674ybws]

I need to make a retail catalog and I want to put the prices and products automatically. The products have a lot of details also. Is there a way to do this automatically with an Excel sheet?
I tried with data merge, but it puts a product per page and not several, also it doesn't let me update the changes after apllying the data merge. Am I doing something worng? Are there other tools in InDesign for this?

Best regards.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You should really do this with a database plugin for InDesign. Companies include EmSoftware.com, 65bit.com, and TeacupSoftware.com. They usually offer different plugins depending on how much automation you want. The plugins can hook directly to your database or work with exported data (tab- or comma delmited).

[Paulo Vitor25721674ybws]

Hi David,

Which one of those three software options do you suggest ?

[John Mensinger · Accepted solution]

InDesign's Data Merge feature is effectively a solution for one-off extraction and layout of data-sheeted content, not unlike basic word processor-style mail or print merging. Deeper, data-driven catalog function requires a 3rd-party plugin, as Creamer Training recommended.

[chrisg11235813]

Sounds like you might be able to do it in Data Merge.

The options are located in the Data Merge pallet > "Create Merged Document...."

You have to select the "Multiple Records" options from the Records per Document Page dropdown.

Once that is selected the "Multiple Record Layout" panel will be avaiable -- this is where you can adjust spacing.

If you draw a rectangle around your artwork it can make spacing/placement easier to figure out (but it is not necessairy)

[chrisg11235813]

* "Update Data Source" is an option in the Data Merge pallet -- just dont remove any of the headings in the CSV file or it might stop working.