Data merge bug - critical

[_ross_]

The new version of InDesign has a terrible bug: when importing a CSV with data merge, it doesn’t import the fields correctly (duplicates images, shifts rows and columns, copies the same cells across entire pages). Every day there’s a new issue with a program we pay a lot of money for, unbelievable...

[_ross_]

The problem only occurs with multiple exports (single ones work correctly). How am I supposed to prepare a document with hundreds of fields like this? Everything was working fine until last week, using the same file.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Can you confirm platform, OS and InDesign version? 

Have you updated to 20.3 already?

You can always easily downgrade to a previous minor or major version.

You should disable Auto-Updates.

[_ross_]

OS Sequoia 15.3.2, previous version of inDesign, upated at 20.3 too. Same bug. What version should I downgrade to?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @_ross_,

Could you share a small screen recording of your exact workflow and the problem, along with a link to  a sample .indd and CSV file, so I can check it on my end?

Also, try installing InDesign 19.5.3 (https://adobe.ly/3RtPoK7) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@_ross_

What are the paths to your images - POSIX or HFS?

[Barb Binder]

Hi Ross:

What version were you using successfully last week? Could anything at all have changed in the InDesign file? Or in the data file?

And have you read through this thread yet? https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/data-merge-fields-not-displaying-in-indesign-202... Maybe something in there will help?

~Barb

[_ross_]

Obviously, I can’t share a screenshot of a client’s data. It’s simply a .csv file with product codes, prices, and descriptions, along with some correctly linked images. I’ve tried splitting the source file to reduce the number of rows (thinking I could import everything in two separate steps), I’ve tried removing the images (thinking I could add them manually later), I’ve tried change the file name, import it again and I even tried converting the file to .txt. Nothing works. I have over 1,000 fields—I can’t import them one by one. I create new price lists every month with different items and have never had problems before. Now every item is duplicated multiple times. I also noticed that the field named “code” changes (the order of the data in the column actually shifts) simply based on the row spacing I set in millimeters during the setup phase. It’s absurd. I will now install some previous versions and try again. I’m wondering how I can verify that 1,000 fields are being imported without errors—shouldn’t that be the very point of using data merge?

[Abhishek Rao · Accepted solution]

Hi @_ross_,

Thanks so much for the detailed update, and I completely understand how frustrating this must be.

I tried reproducing the issue on my end using a CSV and a multi-record setup, and it worked as expected on the version 20.3. Since you mentioned you're unable to share the client file (which I totally respect), could you try testing the workflow with a different CSV file or by setting up a new InDesign file from scratch? This can help us isolate whether the issue lies with the file structure or something else entirely.

Also, I agree, it absolutely should not be this difficult when dealing with 1,000+ fields. Data Merge is meant to streamline your workflow, not make it harder. So I’d really like to help get this sorted.

Let me know what you observe after testing with a different file.

Looking forward to hearing back from you!

Abhishek

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@_ross_

1000 fields / columns - or 1000 records / rows ?

If fields - then it's rather not a good idea and you should optimize your finall CSV file. 

If there was a recent update to InDesign - then it might be the reason. 

Have you tested some old CSV file - that was working before? Maybe there is an error in your latest CSV file? 

[_ross_]

Problem solve downgrading Indesign version. 

[Colin Flashman · Accepted solution]

I've been a regular Data Merge user for some time now and can say that I will not use the multiple record feature as it has a lot of 'quirks' to say the least. This is a persistent issue that has been present since I wrote this article some time ago: https://colecandoo.com/2013/12/28/data-merge-multiple-record-madness/

I try to stay in the single record merge format for as long as I can and if I need several records to appear on one page (e.g. catalogue entries) I'll merge with multiple record format to a new InDesign file and then be aware that I have to iron out any faults.

Is there any more information about what is being merged - is it a catalogue, list, school photo array...; sounds like it uses tables (from the opening post, rows and columns are mentioned) so how are the tables used in this instance?