Star Ratings -- From data source

[_Paul_Norwood_]

Hi,

I have imported a data source to my page and it includes a number which I'd like to convert to stars (graphics). Is there a simple script that I can use to take the number being imported and convert it to a graphic? If the rating is a 2 I'd like to have two stars, etc ...

Thanks!

[Peter Kahrel]

CS2? CS3? Where can the number be found? At the beginning of each paragraph? At the end? Is it the only number in the paragraph or line?

Questions, questions...

Peter

[_Paul_Norwood_]

I am using CS3

I am doing a data merge and the number is from a field in the table ... not sure if that helps at all ...

--Paul

[Peter Kahrel]

>the number is from a field in the table

Which field is that? I guess you mean "cell". So you have a table, and in each row there is a cell with a number in it, and that number needs to be replaced with some stars. Which cell is the number in? The first one?

Peter

[_Paul_Norwood_]

The star rating cell is the fourth one

[Peter Kahrel]

Here is a basic script (in the sense that it doesn't do much error checking). Place the cursor in the table you want to process and run the it.

Peter

#target indesign



// Exit if nothing is selected or when the cursor is not in a table

if (app.selection.length == 0 ||

      app.selection[0].parent.parent.constructor.name != 'Table')

   exit();



myCells = app.selection[0].parent.parent.columns[3].cells;

for (i = 0; i < myCells.length; i++)

   {

   stars = "";

   rating = myCells.contents;

   for (j = 0; j < rating; j++)

      stars += '*';

   myCells.contents = stars

   }

[_Paul_Norwood_]

Thanks ...

Not sure this will do what I want though. I am performing a data merge and one of the fields in the merge is <<biz_stars>> and during the merge (if possible) I'd like the numeric value replaced with a graphic. For example if the biz_stars = 2 I'd like an image with 2 stars replacing the number and so on ...

--Paul

[Peter Kahrel]

Maybe you should have been more explicit in your first query. I don't think it's possible to insert graphics during the merge, but I never use merge so I don't know about that. You probably have to do it after the merge -- but that doesn't make much difference, does it?

Inserting the graphics makes the script more complicated. Maybe you should think of hiring someone to write it for you.

Peter

[_SuperMacGuy_]

You could probably go 3 ways. Run a script after the merge, this would be the best.
For each page, get the number/integer of the star rating from the text box. Then have the script draw X number of image frames on the page where ever the rating needs to be, like 3 or 4 small square boxes. You'd have to manually determine the placement of box 1, box 2 etc. Then place a star graphic in each box.
Or you could also have the stars drawn as a polygon shape directly in InDesign, drawn as many times as needed.
Or draw just one box, long rectangle, and then have 5 images of star ratings, 1 star, 2 star etc. Based on the number, place the file name that begins with that number (ie "1-star.jpg").

[_Paul_Norwood_]

Thanks,

I actually solved this by having the query for the data merge convert the star rating to characters (e.g. if the rating was a 2 the query printed HH) and then I used a font called "SORTS" which is similar to wingdings. H happens to be a star shape in that font. This solution worked perfectly without any scripting in InDesign, just a little scripting in Access which seems easier to code in.

--Paul