CSV files integrating to Indesign

Hi Denise,

Thank you for the forum question.

Integrating CSV files into Adobe InDesign is a powerful way to automate the layout of documents like catalogs, business cards, directories, or any content that follows a structured format. This process is typically done using Data Merge in InDesign. Here's how to set up your files and workflow:

Step 1: Prepare Your CSV File
Create a spreadsheet in Excel or Google Sheets.
First row = field names (e.g., FirstName, LastName, Email, ImagePath).
Each row = one record of data.

If you're using images, include the full path or relative path to each image in a column.
Save the file as CSV (Comma Separated Values).

Step 2: Set Up Your InDesign Document
Open your InDesign document or create a new one.
Go to Window > Utilities > Data Merge to open the Data Merge panel.
In the panel menu, choose Select Data Source and load your CSV file.
InDesign will read the headers and list them as fields in the panel.

Step 3: Insert Placeholders
Create a text frame where you want the data to appear.
Click a field name in the Data Merge panel to insert it (e.g., <<FirstName>>).
For images:
Create an empty graphic frame.
Click the image field name to insert it into the frame.

Step 4: Preview and Merge
Check the Preview box in the Data Merge panel to see how your data looks.
Click Create Merged Document to generate a new InDesign file with all records.
Export or print as needed.

Kind regards

Jens Bonde
Microsoft Office Specialist Trainer

Tel: 0207 987 3777
STL - https://www.stl-training.co.uk
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