Data Merge: Grouping data under a shared section title

I am a total newb to using data merge in indesign. I watched the "Automating a Catalog with Data Merge" video and found it very helpful. I am creating a catalog for an auto parts company so I have a csv file with a field for Make, Model, Year Range, Part Number. I use Make as a header and put the other information below it. I do not want it to repeat Make (Honda) over and over.
Rather than:
Honda
Accord         2005-2010     Part Number 4214-0100
Honda
Civic          2005-2010     Part Number 4214-0100
Honda
Odyssey     2005-2010     Part Number 4214-0100
I would like it to display:
Honda
Accord         2005-2010     Part Number 4214-0100
Civic          2005-2010     Part Number 4214-0100
Odyssey     2005-2010     Part Number 4214-0100
Can someone please give me some advice?
Thanks!

P Spier wrote:
JonMedford wrote:
I have tried this method but and I think this would suffice but it still doesnt format nicely. It puts too much space inbetween each row of data and not enough space between the sections I want to separate. I suppose I could do this by brute force once I get all of my data in, but this will be dreadful to do for a multiple hundred page catalog. Setting the merge to delete blank lines appears not to work. Not sure if this is a bug or not.
A real catalog plugin is probably the way to go, but if you stick with Data Merge you can control spacing with paragraph styles, most likely. Apply a style with Space Before added to the paragraph containing the section.
As far a removing blank lines, if the line isn't being removed, it probably means it isn't really blank. Blank means there can be NOTHING on the line except a field, and the field value in that record is null. If you have punctuation or white space of any sort on the line in additon to the field tag, it's never going to be blank, so you should be doing whatever concatenation you need in the data file first, as John mentioned.
I might just do that. I am staring at this 138 page manual for the Smart Catalog plugin and trying to use the darn thing with very little success. There is not GUI formatting available and it is really frustrating.

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polishedstaple wrote:
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I've been using InDesign since its creation and have recently been pushing the Data Merge feature of ID to its limits. My colecandoo blog highlights some of what I have achieved.
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I know there are third party products which can do the above (e.g. XMPie or DirectSmile), but i'm trying to get as much value as i can from the Creative Suite purely off-the-shelf.
here's hoping
colly

>Because I'm working on a Mac, making XML from excel is like putting marshmallows in a piggy bank (e.g. messy and ineffective).
It should be easy, shouldn't it? I found that running the Excel file through Filemaker made valid XML files easily. Import worksheet, export records as XML.
Can't help you with the rest of it.

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ok so to better understand why I did it this way I will explain the situation. I work for a copier reseller and we carry many models. My goal is to re-brand our sample files and include as a footer the following information (filename / machine printed on / paper stock printed on). This method initally seemed like the right approach using variable data but I have changed my thoght since then and decided to used the combo box interactive filed which would eliminate the need for 50+ pdfs per sample.
My steps tho prior to changing my mind was as follows.
Variable Data Merge:
create my indesign doc and setup the data merge.
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exported the pdf (which is a single PDF with multiple pages)
Splitting the PDF to single page PDFs:
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Renaming the PDF's
Since indesign uses row order from the data file to create the pages the multiple page PDF also has the same order as my data file. When I split the pages using the extract function the number scheme used my acrobat kept the files in order also (page 1 was file1, page 2 was file 2, etc....)
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paste this code:
Sub ChangeNames()
Const FILEPATH = "C:\Users\rsukhr01\Desktop\test" 'amend to location containing files
Dim r As Range, cell As Range
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Name FILEPATH & "\" & cell.Value As FILEPATH & "\" & cell.Offset(, 1).Value
Next cell
End Sub
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hope this helps...
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Cs3 indesign data merge problem

usung csv from mac numbers spread sheet
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made one more attempt and it is obvious i am missing a crucial step-- bear
with me
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and select ok
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is needed
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peter

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InDesign Data Merge - Data Grouping or Page Breaks

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How do I automate a large catalog with several unique sections using Data Merge and Microsoft Excel?

My boss would like me to use data merge to create a catalog with 300+ pages and unique data fields on almost every page. It is an informational catalog that would contain pictures and several unique fitment and specification fields for each product that we sell and manufacture on each page. For years the catalog was made and modified manually in quark express. Is it possible to use data merge to recreate such a complex document? Does anyone have any useful reccomendations or links for tackling this project? I really appreciate any advice or help.
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Message was edited by: kpalombi

Online video
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/instant-indesign/automating-a-catalog-with-data-merge/
Software
http://www.65bit.com/home/home.shtm
Data Merge Tips
http://www.theindesigner.com/blog/episode-43-data-merge-video

[AS] Trying to change Single Record number under data merge?

Any help would be great?

This is where I am trying to go with this:
tell application "Adobe InDesign CS3"
tell data merge 1 of document 1
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set record selection to all records
set records per page to single record
set record number to 3--or any number or i value I want to repeat with
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end tell
tell document 1
tell data merge properties to merge records--and merge that one number
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Setting the record number actually changes the field for single record but when I try to merge said number it does all the records. I am sure its an ordering thing but it is still causing some head scratches. You've all been really helpful with an area that doesnt seem to be detailed anywhere.
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Indesign CS3 Data Merge "Merge Records" Command. Help?

I'm looking to automate the merging of a mountain of records. I have 587 tab-delimited text files with 40 records each. I want to process these via Data Merge using a single pre-designed template with built-in placeholders and variable data fields, including a variable barcode graphic. In the end, I want to create 704 multi-page, 6-up per page, indesign files with merged data, and 704 multi-page PDFs.
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In InDesign CS3's AppleScript dictionary there is a command called "Merge Records" under the Data Merge section. It appears to do exactly what I am after. But when I try to use it (and the good Lord knows I have tried numerous permutations), it only returns errors like "Adobe InDesign CS3 got an error: active document doesn't understand the merge records message."
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set templatePath to "Welch_Jobs:0_JOBS:280019_Churchill:WPC FILES:Workup:280019_6up_master template.indt" as text -- the main template file that will be modified, saved with a new name, then merged with its data to create a new merge file
set newTemppath to "Welch_Jobs:0_JOBS:280019_Churchill:WPC FILES:Workup:goody.indd" as text
tell application "Adobe InDesign CS3"
open file templatePath
tell active document
save to newTemppath
merge records
end tell
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I would greatly appreciate any help you, dear reader, can give me on this.

Well, did you look at the dictionary?:
merge recordsv : Merges records and produces an optional overset report.
merge records
data merge
output overset report file alias or
text] : The path to the file in which to store the overset report.
Note also that it's part of the Preferences Suite, not the Datamerge suite. Do you see differently?
Anyhow, you're clearly not calling it with a data merge parameter.
I also have a suspicion that it needs to not be inside a "tell active document" but it probably doesn't matter.
But my AppleScript is rusty.

Multiple data merges on one page

I have created a postcard that I need to be sent out to clients. To save money, we have put three postcards on one 12 x 18 sheet of paper. I am trying to put three data merges on each sheet for customers addresses. Is this possible? I can provide an image if necessary.

Hi ryaniscreative,
This is absolutely possible, I do this often for variable data nametags on Avery labels. However, our printer should be able to automatically get this done for you if you are printing this digitally. Our Cannon printers have the capability position files (front and back) 2-up, 3-up, etc. I am sure this is the case for most digital printers on the market. Ask your printer and they should do this automatically, in which case you would build the file at full-size and Data Merge as normal.
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Data Merge: Grouping data under a shared section title

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