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Julie at JC
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Why is data merge putting each record in a new table?

Sep 9, 2012 7:55 AM

I have a seed catalog that contains a number of varieties within the same heading/category. So, I'm trying to have a number of records (rows from excel/csv) listed in one table versus all separate tables on different pages using data merge. I have set up a table and put the placeholders there but it keeps adding the other records in different tables and pages. What am I doing wrong?

314 Views   4 Replies   Latest reply: Julie at JC, Sep 9, 2012 8:23 AM
 
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  • Peter Spier
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    1. Peter Spier,
    Sep 9, 2012 8:08 AM   in reply to Julie at JC
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    Data Merge cannot add cells to a table. The closest you are likely to come is to use a multiple records per page merge with zero spacing and the frame holding the table exactly the height of the table, but it still probably won't look the way you want it, and you won't be able to have other objects on the page, most likely.

     

    Why not place the Excel file itself, instead of using Data Merge? You can use named ranges in the spreadsheet to isolate sections.

     

    The other option would be to look at real commercial catalog plugins that are designed to do what you need. Data Merge is really much more suited to things like address labels and name badges. It's quite primitive.

     
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  • Julie at JC
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    2. Julie at JC,
    Sep 9, 2012 8:16 AM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    I have one column in the spreadsheet that has a lot of text (a desicription) that needs to wrap so this is why I thought a table would be best. Since a table won't work. Is there any way to keep that column using some type of text wrapping?

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    3. Peter Spier,
    Sep 9, 2012 8:21 AM   in reply to Julie at JC
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    When you place the spreadsheet it places as a table. One problem you'll encounter, though, is that ID will not break a cell across columsn or pages, so if there is too much text to fit onthe page in a cell it will bump the whole row, if it can, to the next page or column, leaving a large gap, or it may go into overset.

     
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  • Julie at JC
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    4. Julie at JC,
    Sep 9, 2012 8:23 AM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    Thanks for your replies. I'll give this a try.

     
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