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Paulo Vitor25721674ybws
Participant
August 19, 2022
Answered

Cannot merge data successfully in InDesign

  • August 19, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 515 views

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.

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Correct answer John Mensinger

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.

3 replies

chrisg11235813
chrisg11235813
Participating Frequently
August 19, 2022

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
    chrisg11235813
    Participating Frequently
    August 19, 2022

    * "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.

      John Mensinger
      Community Expert
      John MensingerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      August 19, 2022

      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.

      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 19, 2022

      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).

       

      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        P
        Paulo Vitor25721674ybwsAuthor
        Participant
        August 24, 2022

        Hi David,

         

        Which one of those three software options do you suggest ?

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