Indesign: Data Merge: Link to Artboard number

[Llewellyn_C]

This has been asked before (in 2012) but to my knowledge has not been answered.

I use Data merge for a catalogue. Each product has a number of icons. I would like to have those icons on the one AI file on separate art boards and link accordingly.

When you link an AI manually, you can specify a page or an art board in the Import Options dialogue box.

So, can this be specified in the CSV for Data merge?

I have tried "path/file name.ai:3" but the path is not recognized. It links to page one if there is no":3".

For now I will split the AI file which is okay but a fix would be appreciated.

Thanks

[vinny38]

Hi

I don't think it's doable with an .ai file.

However, here's a workaround: you could try saving your illustrator file in EPS format and select "Use artboards".

This would save multiple separate EPS file:

- filename.eps (Your original file not to be used in the data merge process)

- filename-01.eps (artboard 1)

- filename-02.eps (artboard 2)

- and so on...

Hope that helps

Vinny

[Steve Werner]

Of course, exporting as EPS includes all the EPS problems—no transparency, no color management, etc. I'd put that in the category of a "hack."

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi together,

with Illustrator there is an option to save every artboard as separate AI file.

Why not using this?

From my German AI CC 17.1.0:

"Jede Zeichenfläche in einer separaten Datei speichern"

( "Save every artboard to a separate file" )

That would be available, if you do a Save As to a new name for an already saved AI file.

3-ArtBoards-CC-17.1.0.ai

would be saved to:

3-ArtBoards-CC-17.1.0-01.ai

3-ArtBoards-CC-17.1.0-02.ai

3-ArtBoards-CC-17.1.0-03.ai

This function is already available with AI CS6.

Regards,
Uwe

[vinny38]

Sweet... I didn't know this one. Sounds like the answer to me

[Laubender]

Hi Vinny,

at least it's a passable workaround.

Hm. Saving multiple artboards to multiple AI files…
Would that work if artwork is exceeding the artboard and extend to other artboards?

Yes. Just tested that. Mutual elements of different artboards are saved to every individual AI file.

Cool. Did not expect that.

FWIW: The correct answer would be a feature enhancement of datamerge.

Think of PDFs with multiple pages, not only AI files with multiple artboards.

Regards,
Uwe

[vinny38]

Hi Uwe

100% Agreed!!

Fwiw, I did send a feature request

[TalyasTouch]

I have the same problem.
I have hundreds (yes, literally) of Illustrator technical drawings of ships, each one with a port & starboard view, and they all need to be placed in a book.
Separating each file into 2 is not an option - the file system is over-cluttered as it is.

I also tried several options of separators within the csv file to tell InDi that I need page 2 (/N1-a/N1-a.ai\2 and such like)- but to no avail.
Interesting though: when I manually PLACED the original file, artboard 2, into the data-merge template, the preview showed me all the links for the file as THAT artboard.
Strange indeed.

[Laubender]

TalyasTouch  wrote

…I have hundreds (yes, literally) of Illustrator technical drawings of ships, each one with a port & starboard view, and they all need to be placed in a book. …

Hi TalyasTouch ,

clearly a case for automation via scripting.

Hire a scripter to write a custom script for placing the right artboard at the right place.

Scripters hang out here: InDesign Scripting

Regards,
Uwe

[TalyasTouch]

Thank you, I'll check it out

[Colin Flashman]

@TalyasTouch

There is a script that may assist you, it will bring in all artboards from an ai file. https://www.rolanddreger.net/de/276/fotobuch-mit-adobe-indesign/#

Mind you, it will bring each artboard onto its own ID page.

[Llewellyn_C]

It appears that, for now at least, that what I am asking is not possible. Applying an Import option (i.e. Artboard or page number reference stated as "filename.ai:pagenumber") to a image reference in a CSV for data merge. This would be a great upgrade in future versions.

The safest work-around for now will be to select Save Artboards as separate files. This option is in the dialogue box that opens immediately after the Save As dialogue box.

I think I will keep a master AI file with multiple artboards and then also save to separate art boards and use those as the referenced artwork in the CSV.

Thanks for the work around Laubender