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I am trying to do a data merge to create a member directory, finished size 5.5x8.5
I am doing multiple records (each sized 1.5x.1.5 inches) per document page, and when I Preview the multiple record layout, it shifts all of the records down about 1 inch, and over to the left about 2. It does not seem to be lining up with anything. My margins for the data merge are set to .3 all around.
I have tried using a data source that is a CSV (comma delinated) and also a Text (tab delinated) file.
I have tried creating a new file and reseting the needed info from scratch, to help ensure there wasn't any possible file corruption.
Here's a picture of what's happening. Can anyone give me a clue why this shift is happening?
I am using CS6, and have never had this happen to me before with any previous work.
It seems to be connected to the preview, so that if it was previewed even once it didn't run correctly. The only way I was able to get correct behavior out of the file was to create a brand new file, copy the text block into it, set up a new data-merge info and run without preview.
Any attempts to create a new file and preview before running resulted in offset records.
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Can you include a screen shot of the Multiple Record Layout tab, and the Options tab? The key to the problem may be in one of those.
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That WOULD make sense.... here we go!
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Everything looks fine there, so my best guess would be a stray item on the page could be throwing things off. If you could post a link to the InDesign file, I could take a look at it. (I will create a dummy data file to test with)
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See, that's what I thought. Which is why I created an entirely new document.
Could it be corruption in the Excell file I created the Data Source from?
Here it is, don't know how much help it will be!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5635747/JLOKC12-3-Membership-Revised.indd
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Something went wrong with your dropbox link; it opens as an html page full of code instead of a link to download the file.
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I was able to d/l the ID file, but I am limited to CS5.5
IE9
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And here's an IDML for earlier versions...
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5635747/JLOKC12-3-Membership-Revised.idml.zip
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Woops, forgot to zip it. Sorry. Thanks for all your help!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5635747/JLOKC12-3-Membership-Revised.indd.zip
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I haven't look at your posted file, but a number of users of CS5 and CS5.5 have reported oddities after running the preview.
What happens if you either take a leap of faith and DON'T run the preview, or Undo after running it so it's as if it never happened, then run the merge?
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After two InDesign lockups, it appears a custom page size has been applied to the live page, although I don't use the feature enough. Using the page tool informs me that the page size is 8.5 x 5.5; identicle to the document setup size...
It being a end product multiple page, I added a second page to the master spread, applied the masters to the live page, where abouts ID informed of the custom page size. I applied the Master Page size, 8.5 x 5.5 to the live page and corrected the offset merge...I think.
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It seems to be connected to the preview, so that if it was previewed even once it didn't run correctly. The only way I was able to get correct behavior out of the file was to create a brand new file, copy the text block into it, set up a new data-merge info and run without preview.
Any attempts to create a new file and preview before running resulted in offset records.
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Great! Guess InDesign is trying to teach me to not second-guess myself? Tried it as you suggested, SRiegel & Peter Spier, and it worked perfectly. I had seen posts suggesting errors similar to this in CS5, but didn't think the hijink would have transfered to CS6. Should have known better. Having quite a long document to merge (and a somewhat slow computer) made me reluctant to try it without the preview, but looks like it worked out.
Thanks to all of you for all your help and input! Much appreciated!
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I am having a similar issue with multiple records on a single page resulting in the entire page ending up offset when merged. Using InDesign 5.5.
I have tried starting over with a new file and skipping the preview step, but this doesn't seem to make a difference. My entire text block (with at the least the merges in the right place in the text) scoots over to the right and down a few inches. Any suggestions? I'm merging with an Excel csv file. Thanks.
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If you move the data fields from the master and place them into page 1, it solves the issue
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For what it's worth - here's what I dicovered ... the hard way 😕
I was having the same problem with the previewed and final text frames being off-set. After many hours of searching for answers and testing theories I remembered I started out the document with a landscape format - then changed to portrait. InDesign and/or the data merge utility still thought I was in landscape. I created a new document wich solved the problem!
I'm using CS6 ...
Dave
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I have been struggling with this issue on more than one occasion and this is what worked for me! It was always random (it seemed) and no matter what I did, nothing worked. I am so glad I continued to read this thread! Thanks so much!
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This thread is very old but I was also struggling with a similar issue in 2023. What I figured out, after none of these suggestions worked for me, is that my frames on the template overset the margins of the layout. It was blankspace and I had to redesign the objects to fit in the margins properly as resizing them distorted it, but once I had all of the frames happily within the borders the data merge no longer shifted.
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And, the frames need to be up against the margins because the data merge will align them with the margins if they don't already touch them, which can also cause a shift.
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I had a similar issue trying to print on Avery 5160 labels. (3 columns of 10 labels). I fixed it by creating a new document and in the Page set up window for the new document (before it is opened), I made a custom size 8.5 x 11 instead of choosing it from the list, and I set up the margins and made 3 columns in the same window. Once the document opened, I drew a new text box, opened data source, and place fields in the new text box. I went to Data merge and under the Multiple Record Layout tab, I put in exactly the same margin and column measurements that I used on the original page set up. I clicked the preview box and it came up perfect!
**These were the same measurements I used in the document that didn't work. The only difference was that in the failed attempt, I set up the margins and columns after I opened a standard 8.5 x 11 page.
I am using CS6.
Jenni
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So I noticed that no one put a clear cut answer on here, or I missed it if they did..
So here's my two cents since I had the same issue recently:
When you start a new document Facing Pages will be checked (see below)
Un-check this, set up your document and you should be good to go. Hope this helps someone in the future.
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I'm glad I found this thread. I've done multiple records many times. Most of the time it's postcards. But the last time I was pulling my hair out because of the offsetting. I managed to get it close enough to print, but today my new job is 9 postcards per sheet and it was offsetting way up off the page.
I started over with a new document and this time it was offsetting way off the right of the page. It's got to be a bug... it happens in CS5.5 and CS6.
The Facing Pages option didn't make a difference for me, but doing the settings blindly (no preview) did work. I put in guides so I could see that my addresses were in the correct spot and made sure to measure the space needed for rows, columns and margins so I put in the correct information before creating
I don't know what is the circumstance to cause this. Could it be my odd page size? It's 18.25x12.25 inches.
In the past, my post cards have been 4-up but to keep costs down we need to use larger sheets and do them 9-up.
Thanks again!
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I'm having trouble also with multiple record merge on a large document (12 x 18"). I'm going to keep working on it. I've tried new documents, facing pages off, no master items, no margins. I will report back after more experimentation.
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You right, I solved in these simple steps:
1) I copied the elements in the document
2) I created a new document (with "facing pages" checked)
3) Pasted the elements using "Paste in Place" function
It worked for me 🙂
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It still does not work for me. I'm using CC 2014. It's unbelievable that Adobe can't repair this! Users have been complaining for at least 5 years.
I did a work around by creating a new document, NO preview, and generating layout in smaller pieces on multiple pages, then copying and pasting into another full size document and popsitioning "by hand".