Data Merge - Sets of Single Records?

I am trying to use data merge to fill in fields, only problem is I need 2 sets of 2 records on one page. I could possibly reformat this to work on one page, but I would still need 2 sets for each record. Also, I know I could probably just change the data to have 2 of each record, but assume the data is unable to be changed. If there is a way to make a text box a slave of another where it could mimic the original record, maybe I could do it that way, I just don't know if that is possible. See image below.
I am using InDesign CS3. Any ideas?

I don't think there's any way to do this directly, but it could be done in two steps using a script to get your two-up layout.
First, set up a page to hold only one record and do the two instances of the names as a single record per page.
Next, go to http://forums.adobe.com/message/1308215 and copy the rotatepage.js script into a plain text editor like notepad, and save withthe .js extension in the Scripts panel subdolder of the scripts folder in your user profile or user library. In Windows XP the path is \Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application Data\Adobe\InDesign\Version 5.0\Scripts\Scripts Panel and it will be similar in other operating systems.
To run the script, double-click it in the scripts panel. I Think it should run as is, but if it fails, make a new subfolder in the scripts panel folder called "Version 3.0 Scripts" (without the quotes) and move it into that, then try again. Waht this script does is make a PDF of the open file, then create a new file with rotated pages and places the PDF rotated into the new file. The primary use was for doing things like calendars, but it will work to give you spreads that you can print (by checking the spreads box in the print dialog) as two-up.

Similar Messages

Data Merge: Cannot get multiple records per page

I am working with a client who is trying to do a directory in Indesign. There are about 1,800 people with information like address, title, employer, phone, etc. This info is on an Excel spread sheet. I made a text, tab delimited and a CSV file from the spreadsheet. I set up a two column text box on each page and want these entries to fill the columns. I am only able to get one person's information per page. Multiple records per page yields no different result. I also had the multiple records option grayed out on a couple tries. I have tried this many times, even tried setting up a simple spread sheet with 9 items. No luck. HELP! I'm brand new to this feature.
Chris

the data merge function in indesign doesn't make "next record" merges like word does, but instead merges to fields within fixed text boxes, so one frame = one data merge result. when doing mailing labels in word, there is a field called "next record" which then calls in the next piece of information.
the "next record" field is a vital field which indesign doesn't have and i'd like… but that doesn't answer your question. i can see four ways of doing what you want to do:
1) do a mail merge in word and use the "catalog" feature and do the merge in word. format the word file appropriately using stylesheets, and once the merge is made, save the file and close it. THEN, place the file in indesign and then change the imported stylesheets into something which resembles more like what you want.
2) use indesign's data merge but make sure that multiple record layout is selected in the first dialog box when creating merged document; and that when previewing the records, the records appear to be in one column (even though they are still in separate text frames). merge the document, and in the new document, select all the text frames in the page and then run the MergeTextframes_ID.jsx script which can be found at http://ajarproductions.com/blo…..-indesign/ .this will have to be done page by page and then rethreaded each page, but it's a workaround
3) if the data in the datamerge is a csv, convert the csv to xml. if the csv is small (less than 100K) there is a converter online where the contents of the csv is copied into the converter. it is at http://www.creativyst.com/Prod/15/ . The next step is complicated and needs some knowledge of XML. my advice is to get hold of a book called "Designer's Guide to Adobe InDesign and XML" by James Maivald, and specifically read chapter seven and base your merge on this.
4) visit the third party providers link within the indesign page of the adobe site and have a look at products marketed there... i think teacup software and cacidi software sell products which do more advanced merges within indesign. they're not free though but are designed to handle big catalogues.
hope that helps.
colly

Data merge only prints first record

Help, please: I've done it over and over, checked my .cvs file, replaced prefs...
BUT data merge will only print the first record either in create merged document or export to pdf.
It WILL preview all records.

W need a LOT more information, starting with the OS, and the version of ID, including any applied patches.
Next we need to know if you are doing a single record per page or multiple records, whether the placeholders are on the master page, how many pages are in the document and if they all have fields on them (some screen captures might be useful -- embed them using the camera icon on the editing toolbar on the webpage rather than attaching, if it works [there seem to be some issues at the moment, though only for some people]).
What else is on the page? Are you really telling it to merge all the records, or just one?
You get the idea... Full description of what youhave, what you are doing, and what you get instead of what you expect.

Data Merge Repeating a Single Row

I've been trying to use data merge and found it very useful. The only problem is, for no reason I can see, data merge is repeating row 8 from my document. Here is what happens:
I create a csv file from a 22 row Excel spreadsheet.
I use data merge to create a multiple record document. The preview looks fine, all records are correct!
I create the document, and all of a sudden almost all the entries use the data from row 8. The document contains the correct number of entries, they are just almost all a repeat of row 8.
And here something strange - row 1-3 show up as row 8, then rows 4-9 show up fine, and then the rest (up to the final row 22) show up as row 8 again.
I've tried switch row 8 with another row, but no matter what the content is it continues to repeat row 8 - including if it is blank. Any help would be appreciated. I am new to data merge so I may be doing something airheaded.

What version of ID are you using?
There were some issues like this that cropped up in early releases of CS4, so be sure you've downloaded the patches. If that still doesn't solve the problem, it could be an odd character or somthing similar (too many fields or not enough fields) in one of the records, so open the data file in a plain text editor, look it over, and resave.
Unfortunately, I've also seen data files that just didn't work in CS4, for no reason anyone was able to find.

Data Merge Cannot do Multiple records

Hello,
I am trying to create mailing labels in design cs5. I have used excel and saved it as a csv file. I go to Indesign and then windows/Utilities and data merge. I created a 3 column document and made a 1"X 2 5/8" text frame. I placed the info into the new label I created on the upper left side of the first column. I hit preview and see the info there. All is fine so far. I then click the create merged document. I specify I want multiple records and I hit ok but nothing happens.
What I see is the info goes back to <<Company>>, <<Address>>, <<Town>>, <<Phone>> when I try to create multiple records. I only see my info when Im in preview but it switches back to Company, Address, etc when it refuses to produce multiple records.
Please help because this is driving me nuts

Are you seeing the multiple records in Preview?
No new doc is created?
have you tried this: Replace Your Preferences

WAD - Best way to layout master data fields for a single record

I am creating an employee profile which will be fed from various InfoProviders in BI. I am going to lay it out so that there is a master data section at the top and then below there will be various histories (salary, job, etc) and everything will be populated by the value of a single variable.
The question I have is what is the best way to lay out about 20 master data fields in the top section and have it look nice? My guess (and I am not fond of the tedium) is to create a bound text for each of them and bind it to the appropriate characteristic. Then just have the variable setting affect all of them.
Anyone have any other ideas?

Hello,
you can use the interface command:
storm-control unicast level 10.00
or
storm-control unicast bps 10000000
The first command will limit bandwidth to 10% of what is available, the second will limit bandwidth to 10Mbps, effectively achieving the same thing.
Check this link to the relevant configuration reference:
Configuring Storm Control
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps5023/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a00802c10bc.html#wp1063295
HTH,
GP

Data merge options

Hi everybody. Does any one know of a good tutorial or article on how to use the data merge option in INdesign cs5? I am makeing business cards for a large company and am looking to use date merge to populate all the names, phone numbers and email address. I have had limited success with using data merge to make single record layouts with one card per page. However every time I try to use the multiple record layout I run into isuues. One of which being the whole document moves down and to the left. I am sure it is something simple I am doing wrong but I am having trouble finding any good information on the subject. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks.

fwiw, I find designing multiple up leads to more complications than it's worth. Unless you're going to be doing the final press run, you're effectively trying to impose these cards to early.
Consider doing the merge to a business card size document -
You won't have to meddle with the multiple records per page dilemna .
You can send proofs of the cards as designed at actual size.
You'll eliminate redundant stories and graphics. (The logo stays on the master page in my bcd files. You will have 10 - 100 + instances of the logo in you file. Thinking about it, I'd leave it out of the merge source doc and drop it in the final merged document on a master page)
Future runs are not going to entail the exact qty's and persons (99% certain on this).
Occasionally, not all the persons in company are going to receive the same number of cards initially; Sales staff may receive double the qty as HR and the shipping clerk.
You're not going to have crops marks for these cards. (You could merge 2 wide by 5 down to a 7 x 10 document and print that with crops or add crops after the merge of course.)
It's been a long time, but I'm not fond of grouping and picking apart stories and graphics for cards from a final imposed document for reprints. Rather, I have BCD files that have one page per person, and the source file or pdf proofs get imposed as needed.
Just my thoughts, I manage many business card documents.
This forum can get you over a standard merge document or a mutliple records per page doc in half a day.

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.
Here's where I am at. Using a combination of AppleScript, TextWrangler and InDesign CS3, I am able to set up a loop where I can open the single template, save it to a new file with a new name, change its data source to the appropriate text file, and as a test, make a PDF of the template using the correct export preset. What I cannot seem to do is get the template to perform a "Create Merged Document...".
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."
Anyone know what I am doing wrong? I have set up a separate AppleScript for testing purposes that opens up the template, saves it under a new name, and attempts a "merge records" command. Here it is. Maybe someone smart out there can tell me what I am doing wrong.
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
end tell
I have this feeling that this is a command that is actually unsupported. Google searches have been fruitless except for one poor soul who can't get it to work either. I have, however, seen that a similar JavaScript command exists called "DataMerge.mergeRecords". If it is impossible to do this via AppleScript, is it possible to make a JavaScript that will do it, and access the JavaScript with a "do script" command in the main AppleScript? If so, how would I accomplish this? What whould the JavaScript look like, and where do i need to put it?
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.

Is there a way to name the .indd files created by a data merge with values in the CSV file

I have a data merge document that is set to single Record per Document page and 1 page per document. In my CSV file I have a field for Part Number. If I run a data merge with 10 records I end up with 10 .indd files. I need a way so that the resulting .indd files are named the same value that is in the Part Number field.

Loic has provided a link for my original piece, and I've written up some follow-up pieces for indesignsecrets.com:
http://indesignsecrets.com/data-merging-individual-records-separate-pdfs.php
http://indesignsecrets.com/data-merging-individual-records-separate-pdfs-part-2-scripting. php
So there are several ways to get unique name PDFs from an indesign Data Merge. However, none of these 3 articles will truly answer your question of how to get unique indesign filenames using the database. I can see a practical purpose for this as merging business cards directly to PDFs is great, but I can be guaranteed that while on proof, there will be alts to the business cards that need to be done outside the merge, meaning specific records need to be exported to indesign files for further manipulation.

Multiple Data Merge - Problem Resolve... Sort Of

I've researched this issue all morning and found issues dating back to 2012 regarding the problems with Indesign's Multiple Record Data Merge. Many of the issues are answered with the basic set up. Create a new page as a single page and non facing page document. It appears that an earlier bug was resolved that caused data merge documents to be placed off center when produced. The issue that I was experiencing was similar to what I had seen but not covered or not answered when it appeared someone was posting a question about it.
I started with a single page document, non-facing page, no initial text box, and sized to 8.5'' x 11''. I'm layout out name badges 10-up on a page. I had a previous template that had some graphics in the background for alignment purposes. I created a blank master page and a record holder for the name badge then loaded my data source, placed my data entries, and styled accordingly. Upon creating a data merge I selected Multiple Record and then previewed the data merge and positioned the elements on the page using the data merge controls top, left and column placement commands.
The preview looked perfect. The problem came when I finished the final data merge. The resulting page was not correct and looked nothing like the preview. Records were strewn about the page and excessive amounts of pages were created. I spent 4 hours trouble shooting this, far more than this project was billed. At this point it was a mission. In a reply dated back around 2013 I found that someone had removed a layer from their document. I had no layers. The only thing that was not a part of the actual data merge was the graphics that I had on the page for positioning that were not tied to the data merge at all.
I decided to delete these graphics and try to apply the data merge again. The results were perfect. I'm deducing from this experiment that the data merge needs to be done on a blank page. Which is counter productive to the Indesign mater page template. Any elements on the page need to exist as a a part of your data entry group and no other elements on the page. You only create one data entry group in the top corner of the page then use the data merge panel to position and duplicate. Otherwise, you will get a single page for each record you have with each record set 10-up in my case.
Recap:
Create a single non-facing page document with no intial text box. (if you have more than one page the Multiple Records option will be grayed out)
Only have 1 layer in this document
Set a single data entry set/group on the master page.
Do not include any other graphics. Put them in after the data merge.
Click the Create Merged Document button in the data merge panel
Select "Multiple Records" from the drop down list
Click the Multiple Record Layout tab at the top of the Data Merge panel
Click "Preview Multiple Record Layout" at the bottom of the Data Merge panel so you can see the Entry Sets with the data in place
Use the Margins and Layout or Records inputs to position the elements on the document (see note below)
Click OK when everything is in place the way you like it.
After the data merge is complete you will have a new document that should look like you want it to. Now you can go into this document and start adding your design elements.
NOTE: Positioning the content without the base graphics can be tough if not impossible. What I did in this situation is placed my positioning guides on the page then went through Steps 1-9 to set up the document for merge. Once my settings were set I then clicked "Cancel" and deleted my positioning guides and graphics. The problem I was having was due to these elements being on the page. Once I created the document I then pasted my template guides back into the final data merged master page for production.
Request to ADOBE: Fix this issue so we can design our layouts and position our data merge elements without having to backtrack.

If you insist in multi-record data merge, you can have static/variable graphic and text components work. But, create a 3.5 x 2 frame (3.75 x 2.25 card w/bleed) around all of these components, and make sure nothing extends beyond this bounding frame. If the composition prevents you from enclosing all components, then make a PDF of content that is imported in as one graphic.
Another suggestion: don't combine the functions of variable data merge with imposition.
Create a 1up layout of business card to data merge the variable info.
From this file, export to PDF.
Then impose the individual cards with: an imposition app, PDF plug-in, Indesign script, or even manual placement into another document.

Data Merge - Problem with multi paragraph text

Hi. Does anyone know how to use Data Merge for automating say a newsletter. The reason I ask is that when I produce a .csv file that contains stories with paragraphs, data merge reads the para returns as the next row/record of data. I have contained the story within " " marks and it reads OK into a demo of easy catalog, but data merge just gets all confused. Is anyone using data merge to automate newsletters / catalogues that have lots of text with para returns etc. I read in the adobe online manual that there cannot be any para returns in text because that's how data merge recognises a new record. Just thought someone might know a trick at the data source stage to get around this. Might be a stupid question but had to ask because it's annoying the hec out of me!
Thanks in advance.

wouldn't use data merge for this kind of automation, but rather XML, which is a bigger learning curve but worth the effort. a book by james maivald called
A Designer Guide to Adobe InDesign and XML.
data merge is great when the data being replaced is the same size, shape and position on each page, but with a newsletter, thats not normally the case and there is no way of threading the merged stories. i'd also imagine that having the stories within a CSV would limit characters which could be used such as " , and tabs (anything which separates the fields). as you say in your post, indesign doesn't have what a lesser program (word) DOES have, which is the "next record" field, allowing text to thread from one story to the next.
an alternative would be to use a word file with styles and use the mail merge (catalogue merge) which allows the "next record" field, merge it in word, and then bring the word file in. it's a yucky alternative but it does work.

Data merging: how to get multiple records in single text frame?

Hi
I'm experimenting with data merging in InDesign CS3. The biggest stumbling block I've come across is trying to get my records to flow as continuous text in a single text frame (which would, ideally, autoflow onto new pages in the document). The records vary considerably in length, and so I can't just create a standard text frame to repeat on the page.
Perhaps data merging isn't the best way of doing this and I should be learning to script instead. I feel like I'm just one step away, though.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

OK, new scenario now:
Is it possible to set a text box to auto-resize to fit the content that comes in during the data merge?
I have placed one of my data fields in a text box with a stroke and fill, and placed this as an anchored object in the main text box with the other fields. The problem is that the length of text in this field varies considerably, and I'd like the text to fit snugly within its box. Ideally this text box would not appear at all if the field is blank for a particular record.
I hope I've explained all of that clearly enough. Any ideas?

[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
tell data merge preferences
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
end tell
end tell
tell document 1
tell data merge properties to merge records--and merge that one number
end tell
end tell
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.
Any help would be great. Thanks.

Data Merge several records on single page?

I'm working on a large layout of grad photos with names, years and pictures.
I'm trying to data merge my excel spread sheet so I can have all the images, names and years on a single page. There are around 4000 images total (spread through 5 layouts), so I don't want to have to place all the photos individually, type names and years individually, then re-arrange when we need to add additional images.
My issue is that the same data is reapeating in all the fields on the page. Even when I create a new page, the same data is appearing.
If I preview the data, I can scroll through each one, but only one ever displays at a time. The multiple data per page option is grayed out in the data merge window every time I try. I'm using InDesign CS4.
Is there something I'm doing wrong, or is there another way to approach it?

I agree it seems as if you have duplicated data in your source though I can't gray out the multiple data page option if I try. Perhaps there is something to poick up with this clip. Good Luck & let us know how you make out.
http://www.theindesigner.com/podcasts/tid43_theindesigner_43.mp4

How Do I get data merge to work without creating duplicate pages in a single page native file?

I've called Adobe about this and they indicated it was some kind of setting that needed to be changed in InDesign, but wouldn't tell me how to do it unless I paid for an "incident pack" and talked with technical support.
Problem: I have a single page document in InDesign CS5. It's a direct-mail postcard with large high-res images and complicated graphics on it. I want to merge a list of recipients names/addresses from Excel with this single-page design. Excel document has 2,000 names in it.
I successfully create the merge using InDesign's data merge feature, but it creates a new InDesign document with 2,000 pages in it. Each page is a duplicate of my original file, but with different addresses on each page. Because of the multiple records and the high res images it has created 2,000 duplicates of - InDesign crashes. It also took about 4 hours to do the merge.
There has got to be a better way to merge data w/o it created the same page over and over again.
I can't make a pdf to solve this problem becasue I have to work with an in-house printer and they do a poor job of printing from pdf. So, I always send them native files. This printer does not have variable data software. However, if that is the fast and easy solution to this problem - I will force them to purchase it.
Any advise or solution to this problem would be appreciated. Is there a setting in InDesign that needs to change so it doesn't repeat the single page design 2,000 times and cause InDesign to crash?
Thank you.

That's exactly how Data Merge works. If it's on the page, it gets duplicated. 2000 records is a lot, so I'm not sure if the images or the sheer number is what's slowing things down.
One thing you can try is to moove everything EXCEPT the merge placeholders to a master page, then assign the [None] master to the page with the placeholder anbd do the merge. Change the master to the one with your static content after the merge. That might speed up the merge, but it won't do anything for the file being 2000 pages that each has to RIP for printing. The best way to deal with this is to find a printer who can do VDP printing and give him the template file and your data file, and let him do the merge in the print stream.

Data Merge - Sets of Single Records?

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