Set color/style of text in data merge before import

[Stephanie34038417j16l]

Is there a way to set the color/style of text (in excel) before exporting for data merge?
For example: I want the word NEW to import as red type BUT the word SAVE to import as black type. 
Or is this something that HAS to be done after exporting the Data Merge in InDesign?

[Jeffrey_Smith · Accepted solution]

This kind of styling can be accomplished with predefined GREP styles in the master data merge file.

For example, the data file could contain records like SAVE 20%, SAVE 30%, SAVE 40%. The tag for the discount column in data soucre would be applied a paragraph style containing a GREP style. The GREP would apply a character style (with a red character attribute) to make all occurrences of "SAVE" red in appearance.