Generating CSV Files that are Compatible with Data Merge

October 14, 2008

This question appeared in my inbox about a week ago. At first it had me completely baffled, because I had never seen the issue before. But, I have finally found an answer and would like to share it with everyone. Thanks to Otto from the Netherlands for bringing it to my attention.

"I encountered a problem with Data Merge which I am unable to solve. When I export a file out of Excel to a comma separated file (.csv), I end up with a semicolon (;) separated file instead of a comma (,) separated file. When I import that file into the Data Merge panel, the fields are not imported properly."

– Otto, The Netherlands

The easiest way around this issue is to simply save your Excel file as a tab delimited text file, which is perfectly compatible with Data Merge. However, I prefer working with CSV files since they are easier to open and edit in Excel. So, why do the CSV files that Otto exports use semicolons, while the files I export use commas?

Posted in Questions/Answers, Data Merge

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Episode 2: Automating a Catalog with
Data Merge

May 21, 2008

What do Data Merge, an Excel spreadsheet, the Running Header text variable, the section marker, and Layout Adjustment all have in common? They are just a handful of InDesign tools that can be combined together to create a powerful page production machine. Watch this episode to learn how you can use these five tools to design a template that automates the layout of a product catalog.…

Posted in Data Merge, Automation, Text Variables, Layout, Video Podcasts

39 Comment(s)