Data Merge Parent Page Question

[GiGiTexas]

I have a file with my fields on the the parent. Is there a way to create the Merged InDesign Document with the connection to the database broken, like the file you get when the fields are on the pages??? 

[GiGiTexas]

Probably should have been clearer, sorry.

I started with a ID file with fields on Parent. Ran a data merge and created my merge document. I then made edits, went through proofing etc.  I would like the final file to be able to be a regular ID document with no links to database.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

With "regular" DataMerge - the built-in option - there are no connections to your "database" file.

It's like you would do copy&paste from your database to your placeholders.

[GiGiTexas]

 Yes, I understand how the data merge works when fields are on the 1) Child Page, no connection. But the merge acts different when fields are on 2) Parent Page. 

What I am trying to figure out is when the fields are on the 2) Parent Page and you run the merge, you end up with a merged file with TAGS on the fields and the connection is still in place. You can update the data, make a single page edit etc. Great for proofing. 

Now once it is merged and you are left with that file with the tags and connection is still active is there a way to get a file like you do with the 1) Child Page merge is what I am after.

Seems to me you should be able to. I have a client who wants he source files but isnt familiar with data merge, so I need the final file to look like a regular old ID file when packaged. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Can you share sample file? Can be on priv. 

To be honest - I never use built-in DataMerge functionality - I just create much more advanced script for that. 

Depends on how link info is stored - probably just duplicating / overriding objects on the page should be enough - easy to script.

[GiGiTexas]

God I wish I could write scripts. Especially when it comes to data merge as it is really limited. Very jealous of  people who possess that skill. I've been trying to look at every script I use to learn at least a little but I really should try to learn more.

I managed to muddle my way through it the long hard way on a few files. 

Override Parent Items on all pages, delete parent items

Remove the data source

Go page by page, Select everything on a page and Untag it

Then Delete the Tags and Assign them all to Root

At this point its hard to tell it was a data merge.

I dont think there was a simple native way to do it built in without scripting. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Wait a second - Tags relate to XML? XML and DataMerge are two different things... 

And as long as you work on a PC - scripting knowledge is no longer necessary - just ability to build Tasks from what you would normally "click" manually - similar to Actions in Photoshop, unfortunately, without recording... 

[GiGiTexas]

Well I run both here. I mainly work on my the Mac as it is the better computer at the moment. 

Let me get a file set to send over.