Using Data Merge with columns for roll printing.

[jeffrey_0468]

Hello,

Trying to create a label setup where I have 8 labels per sheet, two columns. I am trying get this numbering sequence to work, and cannot figure it out. The columns are cut in half as labels come of the roll.  In the end I would have two rolls.

Sheet one numbers: 

1    9

2   10

3   11

4   12

Sheet two numbers: 

5  13

6  14

7   15

8  16

currently its 1-8 on sheet one, 9016 sheet two.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

As DataMerge populates contents - duplicates tickets - in rows - you need to prepare your data accordingly. 

So, if you have 100 tickets, your DataSource would need to be: 

1

51

2

52

3

53

... 

49

99

50

100

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

But, what is your design? Is there anything else "variable" in the design? 

Or you just need two sets of sequential numbers? 

Because, you could put your tickets on the Master / Parent page, add  two separate sets of TextFrames in the right places - apply dedicated ParaStyles, set Bullets and Numbering - one to start from "1" and second to start from the half of the total qty - and insert a lot of empty lines.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Or use a two column table with two dedicated ParaStyles - for each column. 

So, what is your design? 

[jeffrey_0468]

Hello Robert,

Thank you for responding. Its a simple label design with just the sequential numbering.

I had a feeling about the datasource you mentioned.  So how do I go about building a two column table?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I'll be back home in about 3h - I'll send you an example file. 

[jeffrey_0468]

You're awesome! Thank you! 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Step 1: No Facing pages:

Step 2: Your tickets:

Step 3: New layer:

Step 4: New TextFrame - marked as Primary:

Step 5: Smart Reflow ON:

Step 6: Lock Tickets:

Step 7: Ctrl+Click on the TextFrame - to override it on the page:

Step 8: Edit contents of your TextFrame:

(space)(space)(tab)(space)(enter)

(space)(space)(tab)(space)(enter)

Step 9: with text cursor inside the TextFrame - CTRL+A, CTRL+C, CTRL+END, then repeat CTRL+V 5x times - to get nice 10x "placeholders":

That's why TWO spaces at the beginning of the 1st row - for some reason InDesign isn't pasting FIRST two spaces - but only one - with only one space in the 1st line - step 11 won't work.

Step 10: with text cursor still in the TextFrame - CTRL+A and add a new ParaStyle:

Step 11: With your text still selected - Convert to Table:

Without TWO spaces at the beginning - InDesign don't number empty cells: 

WITH two spaces: 

Step 12: Select RIGHT column:

Step 13: Right mouse button click on the "Number LEFT" ParaStyle and Duplicate:

Step 14: Edit new ParaStyle:

Everything will be numbered as 11 😉

Step 15: Switch back to "continue":

Step 15: add new numbering list:

Right after you confirm your new list:

Step 16: Select your whole table:

Sep 17: Play with row height, insets and definitions of the ParaStyles:

Because of the Step 5 - Smart Reflow - InDesign automatically added new Pages & TextFrames:

If you would need more rows - then you will have to either add new rows and extra spaces inside - InDesign can't number empty Cells - even when it can number empty Paragraphs - or do the WHOLE Step 5 few more times.

2nd execution of the step 5 - will result in selecting all newly created 10x rows - and if you hit CTRL+V 5x - you'll get 50x new rows.

3rd execution - will get you 250x.

And so on 😉

Or, in the Step 5 - you can load an "ampty" text file from Excel or whatever - as long as you'll have TWO spaces, TAB, and another SPACE in ever line paragraph of text.

At any point - you can edit your ParaStyles to change numbering - you don't have to select anything - just edit ParaStyle:

And you don't even have to EXIT from this editing stage - just switch back to "Continue":

Enjoy 😄

[jeffrey_0468]

wow!!  Robert, thank you for this! I will have a go at it later this evening and let you know how it went.

Super appreciate you for doing this. 

-Cheers!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@jeffrey_0468 

You're welcome.

Sorry, if it's too "step by step" - but just in case, to avoid confusion - and for others, in the future.