Data Merge Fields Not Displaying in InDesign 2025 (v. 20.0) on macOS Sonoma

[John Major Printing]

When I open Data merge window in the New InDesgn 202 (v. 20.0) I cannot see the Fields listed in the window after I select a new .csv file. I am attaching a picture of the new version vs. the previous version of InDesign for the same file. Is this an issue with everyone? I am running Mac OS Sonoma 14.7 om an M1 Mac Mini.

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[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @John Major Printing,

Thanks for reaching out! I understand that you're having trouble seeing the fields in the Data Merge window after selecting a new .csv file in InDesign 2025 (v. 20.0). 

To help troubleshoot this issue, could you please provide a bit more information?

1. Is the issue specific to a particular file or happening with multiple InDesign files? 
3. Could you confirm if there are any special characters or formatting in the .csv file that might be causing the issue?

As a potential solution, try the following steps:

1. Ensure that your .csv file is properly formatted. The first row should contain headers that will correspond to the fields in InDesign.

2. You can try resetting preferences. You can do this by holding down `Cmd + Option + Shift` (Mac) while starting InDesign. Reference: https://adobe.ly/3NJIY7B

3. Please try clearing the cache. You can do this by deleting the InDesign Cache files located in `~/Library/Caches/Adobe InDesign/`.

4. Close the Data Merge window and reimport the .csv file to see if the fields appear.

Let me know if these steps help or if you need further assistance!

Best,  
Abhishek Rao

[John Major Printing]

Thanks but none of that helped. Same .csv file and same InDesign file works in 2024 but does not work in 2025.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @John Major Printing,

I'm sorry to hear that the previous suggestions didn’t resolve the issue with the Data Merge window in InDesign 2025. Since the same .csv file works in 2024, it suggests a compatibility problem with the new version.

Here are additional steps you can try to resolve this:

1. Create a simple .csv file with just a couple of rows and columns. This will help determine if the problem lies within the .csv structure or the InDesign version itself.

2. Launch InDesign in Safe Mode to see if a plugin or third-party extension is causing the issue. To do this: https://adobe.ly/48uIsnm

3. Open your .csv file in a text editor and ensure it is saved with UTF-8 encoding. Sometimes special characters can cause issues in newer versions of software.

4. If the issue persists, try creating a new InDesign file and set up the Data Merge again using the same .csv file. To ensure that if there are any corrupted elements in the original file.

Let me know if any of these suggestions help!

Best,

Abhishek Rao

[adeleg80310976]

Hi @John Major Printing

We are having the same issue. Did the above fix this for you?

[John Major Printing]

None of the suggestions here have worked. I have to work in ID 2024 to get it to work. Same .csv files work in 2024 but not in 2025.  I hope Adobe can rectify this issue soon.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@John Major Printing

Which exactly 2024 minor version?

Can you show us an example of your csv file? 

[John Major Printing]

I cannot share the .csv file as it is a customer's file. That being said, why would the same file work correctly in 2024 and not in 2025?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I cannot share the .csv file as it is a customer's file. That being said, why would the same file work correctly in 2024 and not in 2025?

By @John Major Printing

Because 2025 is full of bugs and glitches... 

[Gurr]

still same issue!?

[KurtoG]

I am having the same issue with Indesign 2025 v20.2 on Mackbook Pro M2. I tried the suggestions  but still does not work. When I go to export to Name.pdf , It shows the list of all the missing files... it cannot read the .csv data as the files are there. The import settings are correct.  Opening the same .csv with Mac Indesign 2024 v19.01 and works perfect. We have other designers here where I work and we have dupilcated this problem with those using the 2025 version. I also have a Windows Version of InDesign and it will also work perfect with the same .csv file.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@KurtoG

Do you have links to files in your CSV file?

There is a HSF vs POSIX problem. 

[TaniaDara]

Hi, I'm new to merging data. I followed all guidelines and created a one .csv file with a single column of data.
In preview, it looks fine, but after creating the merge document, a message appears "No overset text was generated when merging records". I tried "all the records" and "single record". It generates only empty pages.

I see that this issue exist from 2024. My InDesign is 2025, OS Sequoia 15.4. When this will be resolved? should I downgrate program? what version?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@John Major Printing

If you want to keep working - you should downgrade to 2024 - and make sure to TURN OFF Auto Update.

[Melissa5E25]

I was having the exact same issue with 2025. And I want to add that after reading through @Abhishek Rao recommendations, I tried saving my .csv UTF-8 encoding and I received this error:

Interestingly, however, when I went back to the .csv without the encoding, the merge fields showed up. I didn't do anything prior other than remove the .csv file (before encoding) and closed the document (not the application) and then tried to upload the .csv with the encoding, which resulted in the aforementioned error, so there is no way for me to know why it worked this time but not before.  

If it happens again, I will follow up on this thread. 

[Laubender]

Hi @John Major Printing ,

just tested a sample source file for data merge with my German InDesign 2025 version 20.0.0.95 on macOS 12.7.1 with a MacBook Pro from 2021 (M1 processor). No issue found. Used a *.txt and a *.csv file as source:

To test with my InDesign document and the data source files, download them from my Dropbox account:

DataMergeTest_INDD_2025_on_macOS.zip

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uknxjbw34cp1vd461n2b3/DataMergeTest_INDD_2025_on_macOS.zip?rlkey=272g...

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Gurr]

How to remove this info that is covering Data Merge menu???

Closing and oppening doesn't help.
Only in Essential Workspace you can pull Data Merge out of the floating window,
but next time I open it it's back again?!

Frustratintg!!

Thanks

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[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Gurr,

Thank you for reaching out! To better assist you, could you please provide the following information?

1. What version of InDesign are you using?
2. What are the details of your operating system?
3. Does this issue occur with a specific InDesign document, or does it happen with all documents?
4. Just to confirm, are you referring to the default Data Merge screen that opens when you click on Data Merge under the Window menu > Utilities (when the source file is not imported)?
5. If possible, could you share a screen recording demonstrating the issue? This will help us understand the problem better.

Looking forward to your response!

Best, 

Abhishek Rao

[Gurr]

Hi Abhishek,

I'm using InDesign 20.0, just updated... on Mac OS Ventura 13.7

It happens with any InDesign document an yes I was reffering to

Data Merge under the Window menu > Utilities (when the source file is IMPORTED and the info is COVERING IT)

You can see a source file name on my screen shot...

Sorry I'm not allowed to record my screen because of the DATA I'm working with.

Thanks

[Gurr]

Hi,

Any update on this???

[Abhishek Rao]

Here’s a response you can provide to the CX:

---

Hi @Gurr,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing the details. I understand how frustrating this must be for you.

First, I recommend updating your macOS to the latest version, preferably Sonoma 14.6.1. Keeping the OS up-to-date ensures better compatibility and performance with the latest version of InDesign (20.0).

I’ve tried reproducing the issue on my end, but the Data Merge panel appears to work as expected. To better understand and test the issue, I’d need the files you are working with—the .indd and the .csv files. I completely understand your concerns about data security. You can share the files securely via a direct message on the community or through a cloud service. Alternatively, you can upload them using Adobe Creative Cloud Assets.

Additionally, I suggest trying to reset InDesign preferences to see if that resolves the issue. Here’s a guide to help with resetting preferences: Setting Preferences in InDesign.

Let me know if this helps or if you need further assistance. I’m here to support you.

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[Laubender]

Hi @Gurr ,

hm, this is now the second time the issue comes up in this forum.

Could you test my sample document from my German InDesign 2025 on macOS where the issue does not happen at all? Download my tests from my Dropbox account:

DataMergeTest_INDD_2025_on_macOS.zip

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uknxjbw34cp1vd461n2b3/DataMergeTest_INDD_2025_on_macOS.zip?rlkey=272g...

As you can see I have no issues with it on macOS 12.7.1:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Laubender]

Here is the other thread with the same problem:

Data Merge Fields Not Displaying in InDesign 2025 (v. 20.0) on macOS Sonoma
John Major Printing, Oct 29, 2024

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/data-merge-fields-not-displaying-in-indesign-202...

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Sun Press · Accepted solution]

I've had this same issue and it was driving me nuts!! But I did find a way that worked for me, and I hope it will for you as well. What I have to do is click Remove Data Source in the dropdown menu and THEN import my .csv file. That seems to do the trick! For my part, that window only shows up if I am using a previous document that already has a linked file. 

Best of luck! 

[derekl87856128]

I was having the same issue this morning. My .csv file had several colons in the first row. They weren't necessary since this row is just the names of the columns (no colons were intended to print anywhere in the date merge.) So, I removed the colons and re-saved the .csv file. Then after selecting it in Indesign's Data Merge, the field name populated as usual and everything worked gloriously!