Skip to main content
brownjerod
brownjerod
Participant
July 30, 2018
Answered

Indesign importing linked excel table, adding extra columns beyond range

  • July 30, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 3742 views

Hello Adobe world,

I am hoping that you guys can help me out. I am working in an Indesign file, we have some pricing tables for a client that they update the excel pricing sheet, and then we are setting up their sales sheets that get professionally printed with the linked data from excel.

One of the tabs (possible more, but my brain is dead from trying to figure this out) when I go to import the range of data A1:F10, it keeps importing that data, and then there was 4 additional columns of blank cells. It is like Indesign is importing A1:J10, but that is not what I am asking to import from that particular worksheet.

What I have tried so far:

  1. I have completely copied and pasted the content into a newly created tab in excel, along with stripped all formatting for new worksheet, i have also deleted the extra columns in excel just incase any hidden characters where in a random cell.
  2. I have also tried to import using other table styles we have setup, and tried to import using no table style.
  3. I DO NOT have checked/selected the import option "Import hidden Cells Not Saved in View", and there are no hidden columns in this excel worksheet.

I do not know how it is bypassing the range I am selecting, but i am hoping that someone out that has something very simple that I am just over looking. I know that we can delete these columns once we import but we are updating these quite frequently and when we refresh the link, the 4 extra columns come back.

Here is a link to the excel file, Dropbox - Price Sheet07_18.xlsx

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

    The last line (*Include 35PSF- 140MPH ...) has some inline tabs entered in the text. These are being read as additional columns.

    4 replies

    A
    amandanettle
    Participant
    March 6, 2025

    I know this was solved for OP, but this was not a solution for me for same exact problem.

    What worked for me:
    Draw a BLANK text box, THEN File > Place. Select your cell range and click OK. Your cell range selection will STAY selected, even if you add additional info into other cells outside your range in Excel. 

      J
      Julia Rose0D4D
      Participant
      December 28, 2021

      OMG this was the answer! It's been driving me crazy thank you so much! 

      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      July 31, 2018

      The last line (*Include 35PSF- 140MPH ...) has some inline tabs entered in the text. These are being read as additional columns.

      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        L
        Community Expert
        LaubenderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 31, 2018

        IDEAS-Training  wrote

        …These are being read as additional columns.

        Hi,

        not with "Leg Height":

        With "Leg Height 2" this is true:

        ( Hm. What's the difference here? I used the same import options. )

        Note 1: I had to change the width of all columns to avoid overset text.

        Note 2: My German InDesign uses , instead of . for the decimals.

        I would have to change that. Also the applied language, that automatically is German instead of US English.

        Regards,
        Uwe

        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Community Expert
        Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 31, 2018

        I get the extra columns in both sheets. The only difference is the merge of the last row on the first sheet:

        Having text-based tabs in Excel is very strange. Among other things I am noticing in Excel (365, Windows 10), I suspect Excel file corruption. Why we are getting different results is strange...

        David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 30, 2018

        A couple of things to try.

        1. Name the range and use the named range

        2. Save the file as XLS

        If that doesn’t work, please tell us what version of InDesign, what version of Excel and what operating system you’re on.

        brownjerod
        brownjerodAuthor
        Participant
        July 31, 2018

        I tried both of these options this morning and both still gave me the same results.

        I am using the following versions:

        InDesign CC 13.1

        Excel 16.15 (180709)

        MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6

        L
        Community Expert
        LaubenderCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 31, 2018

        Hi,

        just imported your xlsx file with all formatting:

        For "Leg Height" InDesign sees formatted contents A1:F11. So I get one additional row.

        For "Leg Height 2" InDesign sees formatted contents A1:F10. No additional row or column.

        InDesign CC 2018.1 on Windows 10 (1803)

        Regards,
        Uwe

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices