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Data merge not working with CSV

Community Beginner ,
Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

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Hey, 

When I try to link a spreadsheet with an inDesign document using the Data merge -> Select Data Source function and selecting a CSV file exported from an excel spreadsheet, I get the following error message: 

"The data source file you selected either has no records or is not a supported file format. Please fix the file, select a file that contains records, or select a supported file format."

I have looked at the other troubleshooting threads, and none of them solved the issue. 

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correct answers 1 Correct answer

Community Expert , Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

In Excel, make sure you save it as CSV (Comma delimited) and not CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited).

If that doesn't work, try the CSV (Macintosh) or CSV (MS-DOS) formats.

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Advisor ,
Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

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Hello Plantor,

 

Re: I have looked at the other troubleshooting threads, and none of them solved the issue.

What have to tried to fix the issue....is it possible for you to post the .csv file for troubleshooting purposes?

 

Regards,

Mike

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

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I tried using a tab-delimited text file, but I got the same error message. Also tried opening the csv file in a text editing program and resaving as csv, did not work either, got the same error message. Why is this feature being advertised if it's not working properly? 

 

I uploaded both the excel file and the csv file here:

https://easyupload.io/m/9xnapx

 

 

 

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Advisor ,
Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

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Hello,

 

I opened the Cards-Data.xlsx file and saved a .csv file that works using the below option,  I'm on a Mac running InDesign 2020...... How are you saving the .csv file?

 

I uploaded the .csv file that works here: https://easyupload.io/diuwc6

 

Screen Shot 2020-12-26 at 1.16.06 PM.pngScreen Shot 2020-12-26 at 1.19.24 PM.pngScreen Shot 2020-12-26 at 1.20.42 PM.png

 

Regards,

Mike

 

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Community Expert ,
Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

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In Excel, make sure you save it as CSV (Comma delimited) and not CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited).

If that doesn't work, try the CSV (Macintosh) or CSV (MS-DOS) formats.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

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Oh okay, I got it. The problem was the CSV file used colons instead of commas. I simply made a txt file on the Notepad, and retyped the text using commas. This way I could use DataMerge in InDesign. I still have to figure out how to export to comma-based CSV, but at least now I have a workaround. Thank you all for the help. 

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Community Expert ,
Sep 20, 2024 Sep 20, 2024

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It's probably due to your location or language settings in Excel. 

On Windows:

  1. Click on the Start menu.
  2. Type control Region.
  3. Select Additional settings in the pop-up window.
  4. Change the List separator to comma.
  5. Click Apply.
  6. Hit OK.
David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

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Community Expert ,
Dec 26, 2020 Dec 26, 2020

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Without knowing what you tried, here is something I've done...

Open the .csv file in a text editing program* and do a save-as, keeping the .csv extension. 

*Some programs can save as text or RTF--make sure the format stays as text.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

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New Here ,
Nov 20, 2024 Nov 20, 2024

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Make sure your Excel file is closed. I went through all the below suggestions and it was as simple as closing the document.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 20, 2024 Nov 20, 2024

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Good point, but that is a different issue. You will get a different dialog box than the one the OP posted about.

image.png

 

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

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