This isn’t, technically, an InDesign step. Figure 3: The Data Merge workflow requires a data source linked to an “interim” InDesign document with data placeholders, from which another merged document is generated. From these two, a new “merged” InDesign document is produced that incorporates the information from your data source into your design (Figure 3). The data source is a tab- or comma-delimited file (most commonly saved from a spreadsheet application like Microsoft Excel or from a database). The InDesign document is where you design static page elements and establish data placeholders in preparation for the merge. There are two things you need for an InDesign data merge: an InDesign document, and a data source file. Let’s take a high-level look at that process. Click the image below to see a larger version.Īlthough the end results were impressive, the Data Merge part didn’t vary at all from any textbook Data Merge. Figure 2: With the help of Data Merge, I generated 24 of these complex tables from the spreadsheet data, then used them throughout this multi-page magazine layout. Figure 1: The Excel spreadsheet from which this project started has valuable information but no visual appeal. Instead, I chose to produce individual tables for each country, including an image of its flag, and distribute those tables across several spreads against a map backdrop (Figure 2). The spreadsheet (Figure 1) contained valuable, well-researched information that warranted a presentation more interesting than a mere table. This layout, which I created for Inbound Logistics magazine, originated as a spreadsheet of data compiled about the strengths and weaknesses of locations around the world for companies to consider setting up logistics operations. For example, I recently used InDesign’s built-in Data Merge to bring a modest spreadsheet to visual life (and get around the limitations of Table and Cell Styles), saving a tremendous amount of time in the process.
ADOBE INDESIGN DATA MERGE TUTORIAL PDF
This PDF is best viewed in Adobe Acrobat or the free Adobe Reader.ĭata and design might seem like strange bedfellows, but with a little InDesign know-how, you can combine the two to achieve layouts that are effective and informative… and do so surprisingly fast.
ADOBE INDESIGN DATA MERGE TUTORIAL FULL
In addition to the HTML version of the excerpt below, you can also download the excerpt as a PDF that retains the full design of the magazine. Excerpted from InDesign Magazine, June/July 2011 (issue 42).
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