Naming PDF files created via data merge

[BENKUEP]

Hello,

is there a way to automaticly name files that are created by the PDF export option of Indeiagns data merge function.

I want to generate the files names based on the CSV file im using with data merge.

Many thanks in advance,

Daniel

[John Mensinger]

I'm fairly certain there's no way to do that using any native, UI-accessible features, but I imagine there's a possibility it could be scripted. That's assuming there is a way you can actually include the desired file name in the data merge to get into the document where a script can find it.

Ask here: InDesign Scripting

[SJRiegel · Accepted solution]

It can be done using InDesign and Acrobat native features. 

First, set up a paragraph style for the field that will be the file name.

Create a TOC in InDesign, (it can be in the margin somewhere) with the option to include bookmarks checked; Check the box for Create PDF bookmarks when exporting the pdf.

Then you can use Organize pages in Acrobat Pro to Split the file using bookmark names for file names.

[BENKUEP]

Hello,

SJRiegel. Thank you so much for your help. This works really fine. You helped me a lot.

Best regards,

Daniel

[mrabadoo]

Would you mind elaborating on the following:

"First, set up a paragraph style for the field that will be the file name.

Create a TOC in InDesign, (it can be in the margin somewhere) with the option to include bookmarks checked"

[Mike Bro]

Hello

I wrote and posted a script here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/how-datamerge-gt-export-as-individual-pdfs-gt-automatically-...

It works on the same principal, but you can export the pdfs directly form Indesign without creating bookmarks and spliting them in Acrobat.

Regards,

Mike

[Ren Sukhram]

props!  This script worked as intended and very simple to follow.  ty!!

[Ren Sukhram]

HEY thanks but for some reason the TOC does not keep the Data Merge value on export. 

the steps I am doing are:

1 - selecting the data field and applying a paragraph style to it

2 - creating a TOC based on that style (using your screen shots above)

3 - exporting using the data merge

when I open the PDF i only see the field name in the TOC and in the Bookmarks.

I am exporting using the data merge / export to PDF.  Am i missing something?

[oliverk44923473 · Accepted solution]

Not sure if you solved this but I thought I'd drop a comment incase anyone else comes here looking for solutions as I'm doing this myself at the moment and this thread really helped.

If you do the data merge after applying the paragraph style and then create the TOC in the document created by the data merge and then export this should work.

[Codie]

Thank you, @oliverk44923473!! Never occurred to me to make the TOC *after* the merge. I've been beating my head against this particular wall for years. 

[Piotr35402759k8yi]

Well, as I set up the TOC, it only applies to datamerge row that is shown 1st, and it's not "updating" on new CSV rows so when i split it in Adobe Acrobat it just pops me a one page that has a title. Any idea on how to make it update with the separate CSV rows?

[sherry_1442]

I created a TOC, included PDF bookmarks and checked bookmarks for output. My option to Use bookmark names for file names is grayed out. 

[sherry_1442]

here are all three screens

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Hi there, 

Sorry for the delayed response. I found a similar post here: https://adobe.ly/3FlaIhR. Would you mind trying the solution suggested in the post and let us know if that helps?

We'll be happy to assist you further.

Thanks,

Harshika