Excel 2003 XMLSS format

[Janis_Rough@adobeforums.com]

I need to import data to Indesign from Excel. I noticed the only format for this is XMLSS. It says the following about this format in the HELP files.

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The XML Spreadsheet format uses Excel's own XML schema, XMLSS, to apply XML tags that store information, such as file properties, and define the structure of the workbook. When you select the XML Spreadsheet format, the Append file extension check box is selected and cannot be cleared. In addition, you cannot save a workbook in XML Spreadsheet format if any part of the workbook is protected with a password. You can, however, save a workbook with a database query that requires a password.
Excel can only save XML files in the XML Spreadsheet format. Excel cannot save workbooks in a different XML schema, including schemas that follow the XML Schema Definition (XSD) language proposed by the World Wide Web Consortium (

My question is will this work with the XML import?

THanks!

[Bob Levine]

Can you give us bit more info on what you need to do. Unfortunately I
don't even know enough about XML to be dangerous. But I do know quite a
bit about getting Exel files into ID without it.

Bob

[Janis_Rough@adobeforums.com]

I just need to Merge with an existing template. The template is a sign for stores. Like sales signs in clothing store. It is weekly. THe data comes from an Excel spreadsheet database with a header list of fields. There are only 3 or 4 fields, ie. price, product, sale price etc. there are about 16 -20 different signs. They are slightly different but mostly exactly the same. I can script the differences. Right now I would be happy to get one database worth of rows into one of the sign templates. The template has placeholder tags.

How do I do the merge. I can save it as a CSV if that is easier. I thought XML would be good incase I need to script the different sets.
THANKS for any help in getting started.