Empty rows appearing when I copy from Excel and Paste in InDesign

[Kelsey Todd]

I'm replacing data in a table in a multi-page catalog document. In the past, I've been able to copy a column (or multiple columns) from Excel, highlight the corresponding columns in InDesign and then paste them. And it's worked as expected--the data in InDesign is updated with the proper data. But, for the last year, when I try to copy and paste from Excel into an InDesign table, InDesign creates extra rows and columns of empty data. 

In the second part of this short video, I highlight the cells in InDesign that shouldn't be there. 

[Eugene Tyson]

This is happening because of merged cells or when someone has inserted a tab or a paragraph return in the cells. 

You might need to clean up  your excel file before importing it.

Or bring it in on the pasteboard and tidy it up and then paste it over. 

But seems like someone is messing up the Excel cells by adding returns or merging cells.

[Laubender]

Hi @Kelsey Todd ,

as far as I know in Excel you can hide columns and rows. That's an Excel feature.

This feature is not available in InDesign. Means if hidden rows from Excel are imported to InDesign the table rows do show.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

[Robert2807422137rd]

I would be inclined to believe that, except...

Every other row in the InDesign table is now blank. 14 rows of data have become 28 rows, and every other one is blank.

I can confirm the excel file does not have every other row hidden.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I would be inclined to believe that, except...

Every other row in the InDesign table is now blank. 14 rows of data have become 28 rows, and every other one is blank.

I can confirm the excel file does not have every other row hidden.

By @Robert2807422137rd

Can you share your "Excel" file? 

Was it created in Excel - or exported as Excel format - from Google Sheets or something? 

Can you re-save it in Excel? 

[kstutt · Accepted solution]

If you are copying from an online Excel Spreadsheet, try downloading it and then opening the file in Excel or another spreadsheet app. Then, when you copy and paste, it's normal.. no extra rows. It has to do with the online Excel app.  

I tried everything I could find online and tried this as a last resort, and it worked. I hope that helps someone!