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Attroll
Inspiring
January 20, 2017
質問

Keeping the format when updating the spreadsheet link

  • January 20, 2017
  • 返信数 4.
  • 9465 ビュー

I have imported a spreadsheet to my InDesign and linked it.

I love this option.

I edit the spreadsheet in excel and save it.

Then when I open my InDesign, it ask me to update the link.

I click UPDATE LINKS, and it does update the spreadsheet in my document.

However my formatting that did earlier to the spreadsheet inside of InDesign is gone.

I am referring to cell spacing.

Is there a way to retain that so that I do not have to fix that ever time I update the link?

    このトピックへの返信は締め切られました。

    返信数 4

    johndglobe
    Participant
    July 5, 2018

    Hello,

    I had a similar issue.   I have a file with 13 different linked ranges through 175 different pages.  It helped greatly when I used Named Ranges in the excel file.  It is weird but when you name the range in the excel file, and then when linking show Import Options.  Then make sure that you select the named range as opposed to defining the correct range in the dialogue box.  Then when you update the contents of the named range the contents update but it keeps the formatting previously assigned in indesign as long as the formatting is assigned as a cell style.  But the exception (there is always an exception)  is when you change the size of the named range, you have to relink using the named range.

    I just wanted to throw this out there.  I am by no means an expert but this is what I found.  Maybe the experts can look into my explanation and understand why this happens. I have no idea why, i just know that it works.

    Haeme Ulrich
    Inspiring
    January 20, 2017

    Another strategy (other than Table and Cell Styles) would be to use an InDesign Plugin. I would use DocsFlow Pro. With it you can update linked Excel Files very easy without loosing the InDesign styling:

    http://emsoftware.com/products/docsflow/

    Attroll
    Attroll作成者
    Inspiring
    January 20, 2017

    Haeme, that says it is for Google Docs and Google spreadsheets. I am not using Google Docs. I am using an excel file on my hard drive.

    Haeme Ulrich
    Inspiring
    January 20, 2017

    Ups sorry, wrong link. I meant WordsFlow

    http://emsoftware.com/products/wordsflow/

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    January 20, 2017

    This post from me might help with the concept:

    https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-tables-that-wont-accept-table-and-cell-styles/

    And this one from Adobe will help with the execution:

    Table and cell styles in InDesign

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    Attroll
    Attroll作成者
    Inspiring
    January 20, 2017

    I don't know if I can nest a table with cell styles like you suggested.

    The reason being is that all my cells are different.

    I have some merged cells throughout the spreadsheet.

    Can I still nest the style if I have merged cells through the spreadsheet?

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    January 20, 2017

    You can nest up to five, but are limited to these 5 positions:

    Anything else and you will have to reassign through the Cell Styes panel, manually. You can assign styles to merged cells.

    If you want to keep the ability to update the linked excel file, I really think styles are your best bet after an edit.

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    January 20, 2017

    Why don't you make a table style (and nested cell styles) so that after you edit, you can reassign the formatting with a single click?

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training