Data Merge Error: Multiple Records duplicates one random entry

[NourishingMedia]

Need some help here - I'm pretty sure I've set everything up perfectly, and most baffling the preview looks perfect.

I have 80 different card prototypes in CSV file, everything looks primo. But when it comes time to actually create the file, it does the most random thing (every time). Exporting straight to PDF does the same. CSV file looks extremely ordinary, nothing weird there. And why card 21??

Can't find any other instances of this happening on the forum.

Here is a very rough screen recording:

Suggestions? Really keen to start playtesting! Thank you wonderful people

[SJRiegel · Accepted solution]

There is a chance that this is the result of a long-standing bug in the Multiple-Record preview. Previewing the layout can introduce random errors that don't go away.

If this is indeed the cause, then the only cure is to create a new template layout document, and generate the merge without previewing first.

[NourishingMedia]

Thanks SJRiegel - you're unfortunately totally correct.

Restart didn't help - but creating a new document, and pasting in my already made box and styles into it (and not previewing) did.

You say this is a long-standing bug? It makes data merge almost unusable!

Please let me know if there's something I can do to help inspire movement on this.

[Colin Flashman]

Best way to inspire movement on this is to prepare a bug report here: Adobe InDesign Feedback

When submitting the report, point to this forum thread, and if possible, attach actual samples of the artwork with the fault.

[NourishingMedia]

Done! Thanks Colin

[dunelucy]

I'm having the same problem but the fix isn't working for me. I've started over several times. I've updated to the latest version of Indesign. I'm on a deadline and this is totally stressing me out, because it sounds like it's a bug, and not just that I'm doing something wrong. Any other suggestions??

[jerseydudjek]

Can confirm that as of Oct 21 this is still a thing and the fix below worked for me.

[Andrew22671041fduz]

I'm having the same issue as the user who made this original post and creating a new document without previewing did not solve the problem for me as was suggested here.  This is so frustrating.  If anyone has any other troubleshooting advice or guidance, I would greatly appreciate it!

[Andrew22671041fduz]

I figured out the solution to my issue.  I had been exporting to PDF directly from the Data Merge toolbox.  I was able to have things populate properly when I created a merged document before exporting.

[cristianc52204977]

I have the same issue but my document is 10k + pages at the end, creating a merged document and than save it would take a crazy long time. The first trick did work for me.

I sill cant beleave Adobe hasn't fixed this and the problem is known since 2018..

[blakemartin2020]

Confirming this is sitll an issue as of September 12 2023. Adobe InDesign Version 18.5.

[treyseabscly]

Still experiencing this in February 2024

[katew23226]

Seconding that this is happening Feb 2024

[Erin31342039xwta]

Problem occured for me as well. February 2024. 

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Did you try the suggestions shared in the correct answer of this discussion? If you need further assistance, please share the version of InDesign, OS and a sample file for testing this on our end. We'll try our best to assist.

Thanks

Rishabh