Data Merge Multiple Records Per Page Greyed Out

Report · Jun 04, 2012

I am using InDesign cs5.5. I am attempting to create a catalog with the data merge option. I am attempting to do a data merge from the Master Page.

As you can see in the image, I have inserted my fields from the data source file. All images, original file, and data source file are in the same folder. I am inserting this info on the left sheet of the master file. When I select "Create Merged Document" the "select multiple records per page" is greyed out, however, there is plenty of room on the page for the 8 records I want it to show. See image below.

After watching tutorials, reading, etc. I made sure that my document does not have facing pages. I deleted my "page 2" to avoid that conflict. I made sure that the placeholder "allows overwrite from the master". I also deleted my "cache"/settings" by doing "ctrl, alt, shift" when reopening the program. I read that it may be because the files need to be on the right hand sheet of the master, however, when I move my info to the right sheet, I get the following message.

I have watched the tutorial videos, read the entire help section regarding data merge, and have correctly created my data source file. I've tried everything I've seen on the forums, apart from uninstalling and reinstalling. Please tell me that someone can help me figure this out as soon as possible. I'm in crunch time!

Thanks a lot.

Report · Jan 06, 2016

HELP!?! I've done everything mentioned in this post and still cannot get the Multiple Records options available to me. I went so far as to create a brand new 4 page document, not with facing pages, master only has 1 page, 1 layer, all options mentioned above set, and when clicking to Create Merged Document, the 'Preview Multiple Record Layout' box is grayed out. When going to the 'Multiple Record Layout' tab it says at the top "These options are disabled because Single Record is selected for Records per Document Page." But on the 'Records' tab it won't allow me to select anything other than 'Single Record' because it's grayed out.

The preview of my data merge looks good for the single record that it shows, but I cannot get the Multiple Record option for anything I've tried. Please Help!

Report · Jan 07, 2016

For multiple records per page your template document must be one page, not four.

And if you choose to preview, immediately Undo afterward and before running the merge or you may corrupt the template (this is a bug).

Report · Jun 01, 2017

im still having the same problem?

all youtube videos and other notes are saying im doing it correct

... we need the reason why it is greyed out not how to setup the document, there is something missing from all the setups.

Report · Jul 10, 2016

I used datamerge many many times but I was about to get crazy because of this multirecord problem. Thanks God i found the solution.