Believe it or not, you can perform complex data merges in InDesign CS 2 that allow you to create form letters, certificates, envelopes and mailing labels out of raw data.
Click here to interact with an online simulation that will teach you how. Or, read the steps to success below:
A data merge consists of three parts: a data document, a target document and a merged document.
The data document contains the information that changes from document to document. For instance, if you wanted to create certificates, the names you want to appear on each certificate would be typed into the data document.
The process for creating a data merge in InDesign is surprisingly simple. First, create the data. You can use just about anything to create the data. But if you want an easy test document, type the data in a word processor like NotePad. Separate the data by pressing the TAB key on your keyboard. Keep in mind that the first row of your data will become the HEADER row in your data and will translate into Data Fields in InDesign.
After you finish creating the data document, start InDesign and create a target document. You create the target document in InDesign as you would create any InDesign document–except you add data-field placeholders that will serve as a conduit between the InDesign document and the data document.
After creating the target document in InDesign, it’s a simple matter of merging the data document with the target document. Really!
- Select the Window menu
- Select Automation
- Select Data Merge
The Data Merge palette opens. This is where you select the data document file as your data source.
- Click the Fly Out menu
- Select Select Data Source
- Select your data document
- Click the Open button
As mentioned earlier, the items in the first row of the data document appear in the Data Merge palette as data fields. Now you will add the data fields to the InDesign document.
- Click the data fields to insert them into the InDesign document.
All you need to do now is merge the document.
- Click the Fly Out menu again and choose Create Merged Document
A new, merged document will be created that is a merge between the data in your data document and the InDesign target document.
Still don’t believe it’s easy to create a data merge in InDesign? Seeing is believing! Click here to interact with an online simulation and I bet you will soon be convinced. Don’t worry, the price is right. It’s free.
The merge is working but its placing only one listing on a page. How do I get the copy to run consistently in my 2-column vertical layout? Would appreciate anyones help. Thanks.
The merge is working but its placing only one listing on a page. How do I get the copy to run consistently in my 2-column vertical layout? Would appreciate anyones help. Thanks.
The merge is working but its placing only one listing on a page. How do I get the copy to run consistently in my 2-column vertical layout? Would appreciate anyones help. Thanks.
Did you get an answer to this as I’m experiencing the same problem.
Did you get an answer to this as I’m experiencing the same problem.
Did you get an answer to this as I’m experiencing the same problem.
If you want to merge multiple records on one page, it has this option when you merge document.
Select the merge document button from the data merge tab.
You will see options for multiple records for one page.
Now my problem is that CS2 InDesign crashes when I merge document! ugh!
If you want to merge multiple records on one page, it has this option when you merge document.
Select the merge document button from the data merge tab.
You will see options for multiple records for one page.
Now my problem is that CS2 InDesign crashes when I merge document! ugh!
If you want to merge multiple records on one page, it has this option when you merge document.
Select the merge document button from the data merge tab.
You will see options for multiple records for one page.
Now my problem is that CS2 InDesign crashes when I merge document! ugh!