DataMerge DataSource from String

[Lars25490069n6f2]

Hello,

is it some how possible to use data merge in a script without needing to select an external csv file as the data source?

I would like to extract the fields from a JSON payload and do the data merge within InDesign.

Or is there a way to "skip the selectDataSource-part" and replace the placeholders manually via script?

I hope that I have been able to express myself clearly.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Lars

[milko259349307s4y]

I suggest:
- convert the file from json format to xml format.
- place xml tags in your indesign document
- keep the xml file name unchanged and update the link in indesign

[Loic.Aigon]

Almost everything is feasible. But I don't think you can create Datamerge Placeholders without loading a CSV file first. Besides the DataMergeFields collection doesn't expose an "add" method, which second that point.

https://www.indesignjs.de/extendscriptAPI/indesign-latest/#DataMergeFields.html

That said, whatever, you will use Datamerge or XML import in a scripted way, it will probably start by manually tagging elements in the layout. Unless you have some deep logic to turn untagged contents to tagged contents. 

Loic