How to Automate Price Import from Excel into InDesign for a Simple Catalog

[Dalbo36171778rodn]

Hi. 
I have a pricelist which is set up in Indesign with item no. 
In a separate Excel file, I have the prices which I wish to match up with the correct item no.
The list of prices is not sortet chronologically so that it matches the layout of the indesign file. 

Is there any way that I can do this automatically, or do I need to type in the prices manually?

Thank you.

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[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Dalbo36171778rodn,

Thank you for reaching out! I understand how time-consuming it can be to manually match up prices with item numbers. 

Could you let me know which version of InDesign and operating system you’re using? That will help me tailor the solution for you.

One potential option is to use Data Merge in InDesign, which allows you to import data from an Excel file and automatically match it with corresponding fields in your layout. To do this, you’ll need to ensure that the item numbers in both InDesign and Excel match, so they can be aligned correctly. Sorting your Excel file by item number before merging will help with the process.

Reference article: Merge data to create form letters, envelopes, or mailing labels in Adobe InDesign

If you need any further guidance on setting this up, feel free to ask!

Thank you, 
Abhishek Rao

[Henk294638223m3i]

I actually want to do the same but I can't quite do it yet.
Attached is a photo of a table I want to make. The price from the Excel file should be placed in the place of the numbers. The Excel file contains the article numbers with the price in the column next to it.
Is it possible for InDesign to search for the article number in the Excel file and then insert the price next to this number? Or how can I best approach this?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Henk294638223m3i

You've a few options - f you're just starting:

- you could create a Named Range in Excel - for EACH code - then use this name to link to the TextFrame in the InDesign, 

- export your data from Excel as two columns - code+price - then use script to replace code with price, 

- prepare your data in Excel in a way so it can be directly imported to InDesign and just formatted using Table and Cell Styles. 

That's just a few "basic" methods 😉 

[Kasyan Servetsky]

This can be done by scripting.
Here I wrote a somewhat similar script that is based on my Get data directly from Excel function. (BTW, I recently updated the function for MAC so it works with the POSIX path format).
It's possible to do as you want: say, find the part # from column A and replace it with the price  from column B. But, in my opinion, a more elegant sulution would be to make a doc/template with labeled text framed whose labels correspond to part numbers.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

[...] But, in my opinion, a more elegant sulution would be to make a doc/template with labeled text framed whose labels correspond to part numbers.

By @Kasyan Servetsky

Wouldn't that be "too static"? 

Of course, script can read that as well - but, if data would be imported as text, then those codes could be anywhere in the text - so it would be more flexible / universal.

Especially, if the same "template" would be just updated with a new data.

With labels - it would require a lot more manual work?

[Kasyan Servetsky]

@Robert at ID-Tasker, I have no idea about what OP's workflow is/going to be, and how the part numbers were originally inserted into text frames. From the screenshot, I see that each text frame contains a number so my guess it was done manually: copy — paste. In this case, IMO it makes no difference either paste it into a frame or label.
Assuming it's a catalog updated on a regular basis, I'd rather make a template with labeled frames — manually but only once — and run the script to fill in/update prices.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Kasyan Servetsky

I'm sorry but I disagree on using labels in this case. 

With no offence to OP - it looks like (s)he doesn't know InDesign very well. 

This looks like an old style table made in an early versions of QuarkXPress? 

Or OP is working on some old files imported to InDesign.

Either way - it should rather be done properly - even if it means doing it from scratch 😉 it will save a lot of time in the long run 😉 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Dalbo36171778rodn

Everything depends on the layout / design - can you post some screenshots? With edges of the frames visible and where all the data should go. 

[Colin Flashman]

Knowing the scope of the project will certainly help determine what method may be more appropriate.

If this is a 2 page price-list with not many SKUs then a data merge solution or linked excel file solution may be workable.

If this is a 180pp catalogue then something like a catalogue plug-in such as

• Em Software's InCatalog;
• Cacidi Extreme;
• 65bit's EasyCatalog;
• Meadows PS' Designmerge Catalog;
• Teacup Software's Datalinker

These are paid plug-ins but they bridge the gap required to make full-fledged price/parts catalogues in InDesign

[E.J. 23]

What's the best solution. I'm using EZ Catalog now but I have to admit there is little instruction on how to use, and the price is high.  

Right now I have 400 pg catalog that needs a pricing update and I'm using EZ Catalog, which has zero instruction

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@E.J. 23 

Can you post some sample screenshots - with your data and with your layout in the InDesign?

If you prefer, you can click my nickname and send them privately.