Multiple data merge with different backgrounds

[Etcho]

Hi,

I'm trying to create peg labels for a children's classroom.

I want to merge my .csv class list into an indesign document where I have 6 peg labels per page.

HOWEVER - Each label has a picture of a rocket behind the name but the rockets are different colours which is where I'm getting stuck:

a) Creating a multiple merge gives me the same coloured rocket duplicated across the page.

b) Merging the names into 6 text boxes on top of pre-drawn rockets gives me the same name repeated 6 times.

The only way I can see to make it work is to link the rocket background image as a merged image, i.e. create a colum of linked imafes in my .csv file.

Is there a way to achieve this without having separate linked images? 

Thanks 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Don't think so - you could maybe play with some GREP Styles - but image for background will be the easiest. 

Or script could do post processing - find something and then set color.  

[Etcho]

Thanks for replying 🙂

I think I'll just paste the names into linked text boxes for now but I'll do some research on GREP and scripts.

Thanks

[Jeffrey_Smith]

This can all be done with a data merge.

Issue a) You need to merge variable images as well as text variables. Include a column in source data for images, using "@" in the column header. Save the csv file in same folder as variable images.

Name	@IMAGE
Mary	rocket1.jpg
Tom	rocket2.jpg
Susan	rocket3.jpg
Bob	rocket4.jpg
Lisa	rocket5.jpg
Bill	rocket6.jpg

Issue b) It sounds like you created a layout with 6 positions. Create the Indesign merge document to the size of label sheet (8.5 x 11) Place one frame the size of an individual label, and positioned it with the same offsets as it appears on sheet. (.5" from top and .25" from left).

Place varible text and image placeholders within this frame.

When you do the merge, use multiple records, and margins for positioning for the horizontal and vertical gaps between labels.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Jeffrey_Smith 

Yes, OP knows about solution for a).