Data Merge - Adding a new line of data, HELP!

[superbloom421]

Hi helpers! I have a document that is utilizing Data Merge. Its a weekly document that uses Data Merge as a placeholder for weekly statistics. Whenever I have to add a new line of data I have to shift all the placeholders manually. Is there another way?

For example I have the number of flags purchased listed next to text that says "Flags Purchased." However when they want to add a line above it that shows the number of cards purchased, the numbers don't shift automatically. Its only reading the numbers since the text stays the same so then all the numbers are off by one line, the new info.

Is there any way around this? Data Merge does not seem to have a lot of options. I haven't used InCopy but maybe thats a better tool?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Can you show us a screenshot of your template and from your Data Merge source file?

Because for me, you should have both informations - text to display and the value - should be in the DM source file - not "hardcoded" in the template...

[superbloom421]

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

That's what I was suspecting ... 

You'd have 2x options:

1) put all three pieces of information in the same field - separated with "#" or something unique - then use NestedStyles to format,

2) create your template as <<107a>> <<107b>> <<107c>> and then put info in the database accordingly - then when you need to add new "columns" in the middle - you'll only have to add new fields in the template at the end.

I can send you example screenshot tomorrow - I'm on my phone right now. 

[superbloom421]

Ok thanks, I'll do some research on NestledStyles because I've never seen it or used it. A screenshot may be very  helpful. 

This is a 4 page document with about 300 data points that change each week. Maybe there's a better way to do this besides data merge. What tool would you use with a document that has to change numbers each week?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

There are few options... But it would depend on the way you collect / receive your data... 

[superbloom421]

Its an excel spreadsheet, I copy the weekly column and transpose it because data merge requires it to be horizontal data.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Sorry for no reply.

Can you show a screenshot of the whole spread - not in preview mode, and with CTRL+A - everything selected - something like this:

If it would be possible to thread everything together - it probably would be possible to go "InDesign Tagged Text" route....

[superbloom421]

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

By @superbloom421

Can you explain when and where you need to add new info and how it would result in shifting? 

Right now, for me, it looks like a quite "closed" design? 

[superbloom421]

So currently if I add a row of text in excel then all the numbers would shift by one so they would all need to be renumbered in the data merge panel.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

So currently if I add a row of text in excel then all the numbers would shift by one so they would all need to be renumbered in the data merge panel.

By @superbloom421

Adding a row - adds new record - so something is not right? 

[superbloom421]

I'm interested in learning more about the Tagged Text, do you have a video tutorial you recommend? I see lots of options when I google search, thanks!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I'm interested in learning more about the Tagged Text, do you have a video tutorial you recommend? I see lots of options when I google search, thanks!

By @superbloom421

I think there should be somewhere some old PDF with basic info - but Adobe stopped updating this info. 

The easiest way is to style your text - then export and analyse the result in some text editor. 

But looking at your screenshot - you have a lot of separate TextFrames? 

[Colin Flashman]

I'd like to help but I'm a little confused as to what you need to do.

What I notice is that the screenshot of the excel file has one record in the data merge, but over one hundred fields - I wouldn't usually see that many fields in a database - 30 tops. Can you please go into more depth about what has been created; what the desired outcome is; and how data merge is used to achieve this goal?

[superbloom421]

This is a 4 page document with about 300 data points that change each week. Maybe there's a better way to do this besides data merge. What tool would you use with a document that has to change numbers each week?

[superbloom421]