Variable Data in Symbol

Question

Windows XP AI SC3
Not sure if AI is suited for this or not...
I would like to be able to create a symbol, that when placed in a document, it can pull from a dataset to populate certain data.  The customers phone number and address for example.
I have played around with variable data for some things, but trying to accomplish this has been less than fruitful...

Answer 1

function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
Specifically, I was referring to AI's "Variable" panel and Dynamic object.  Dynamic Text to be more exact.
So all the Variables are text Variables? There are no GraphData, Visibility, or LinkedFile Variables involved?
For my own purposes, I have devised a Javascript that populates the Variables Palette with DataSets from ordinary tab-delimited text. But again, I would have to see a thorough description of your problem to tell you if it is applicable to your situation.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
I am pretty sure I can get the Dataset file to load when a file is opened (custom plug in).
Assuming the XML file is formed to Illustrator's liking, you could also probably accomplish the auto-import with a Javascript that runs at launch. But that would, of course, just load one row (one DataSet) of the data into the bound objects. What's the big deal about using the Import XML command when the file is opened?
So, if I have a template that has Dynamic Text elements, I should be able to open a file and have the data pulled from the XML dataset on open, automatically populating the variable text elements.
Again, I don't know what you mean by "have the data pulled." The bound objects on the page will only contain one DataSet (one "row" of the data, were it tabular data) at a time. You could then use a mere Action (macro) to cycle through the DataSets and export the versions, if that's what you're talking about. But a startup script would only import the data Variable Library into the Variables Palette. Again, that's a one-shot deal; I don't see what's the big deal about invoking one command in the UI to load the whole Library.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
This will work well for variable text elements that are in the document.  However, if I create an Illustrator symbol and try to make the text dynamic, it does not appear to work.  I can go through the motions, but loading different datasets doe snot appear to affect the symbol.
Ilustrator Symbols cannot be bound as Variable objects. There are four types of Variables: Text, GraphData, LinkedFile, and Visibility. Why do you need this to be a Symbol? Is it required that multiple instances of the same column from the DataSet occur in various places on the page? If so, the Variables Palette is probably not your best solution. You would have to have multiple columns in your DataSet containing the same value, because even with ordinary textFrame objects, you cannot bind several to one Variable.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
First, I would like to accomplish this within AI if possible, so whatever tools AI may give me, is what I am talking about.
Workarounds are conceivable. But frankly I probably wouldn't bother (again, depending upon the specifics of the problem). InDesign provides a proper and straightforward data merge feature that works with ordinary tab delimited text, so you can enter the same placeholder as many times as you need on a page, and anywhere within a textrange (whereas Illustrator's Variables feature does not allow binding of multiple variables within a single textFrame).
JET