Layout Changes for Data Merge
Learn / Forums / General InDesign Topics / Layout Changes for Data Merge
Tagged: custom layouts, Data Merge, varied layout
- This topic has 5 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by aaron nagucki.
-
AuthorPosts
-
-
December 22, 2014 at 12:30 pm #72332aaron naguckiMember
Hello, I have a good size file that I’m using to data merge into an inDesign document. The document is a series of “data sheets” about the properties my company owns. The problem is that there are multiple tenant varieties per data sheet. Meaning, in one sheet there could be 20 tenants and in another only 4. In which case, I have to tweak the individual property page and add custom content/formatting. My issue is for when I have to update the data source. Is there a way to keep my additions and keep certain formatting when I update a tenant vacancy? I almost feel like I am going to have to save each property as a template to keep all the custom content and formatting. This makes it less efficient in which case I could just change the vacancies without data merging. The reason I want to avoid non-merging is for other employees to just edit the excel spreadsheet and not need to know inDesign.
-
December 22, 2014 at 12:38 pm #72333David BlatnerKeymaster
It’s possible that Data Merge may just not be powerful enough for what you need. You might look into third-party tools such as InData or EasyCatalog.
-
December 23, 2014 at 6:50 am #72339aaron naguckiMember
Hey David, thank you for the suggestion. It appears as though my inDesign is too new for inData. I have 10.1 and their plugin can only handle up to 10 :(. Also, Easy catalog seems like it may be too intensive for my task as it is not too complicated. Basically, I am just creating a bunch of two page documents with the same template in general. However, for certain cases, their are less pictures for logos or less tenants. Here is the website that I have the documents stored in… properties.devreit.com <https://properties.devreit.com/> If you take a look, and click on a couple different properties, you will notice that their is a minor variation between documents. I’m guessing that inData would have been a perfect plugin for creating multiple documents(varied layouts) using the same source. I have watched most of your inDesign videos on lynda.com <https://lynda.com/>, you do some great work. I suppose you might be informed on when an inData update might be released?
Thanks
Aaron
-
December 23, 2014 at 7:39 am #72345David BlatnerKeymaster
Not sure what you mean; their web site says it works for all versions up to CC2014, which is the newest one, yes? I suggest contacting them directly, as they are usually very responsive and helpful.
https://emsoftware.com/products/emdata/Thanks for the kind comments on my videos!
-
December 23, 2014 at 9:39 am #72350aaron naguckiMember
The plug in is only for inDesign CC 2014 v10, I have v10.1. So it isn’t supported yet. I did email them, hopefully they will be able to help me out. Thank you for the timely replies, I appreciate it.
-
December 23, 2014 at 9:45 am #72351aaron naguckiMember
They are fast! Turns out it was MY extension manager needed an update…
-
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.