ID Question

[Daniel_Hager@adobeforums.com]

Does ID, without the pagemaker plug-in, perform a data merge? I downloaded the trial versions and looked everywhere, and I can't find it. If it doesn't have this option does it take Pagemaker to be able to do a datamerge?

[Dave_Saunders@adobeforums.com]

No. You need the pm-plug-in pack to do the data merge, but you do not need PageMaker. The plug-in pack name is a bit misleading. It provides functionality for InDesign that is familiar to PageMaker users but it does not require PageMaker nor even a familiarity with PageMaker in order to use it. I don't think it is part of the demo, though.

Dave

[Daniel_Hager@adobeforums.com]

What if I currently own pagemaker... Then I need?

[Daniel_Hager@adobeforums.com]

The main reason for purchase is in Pagemaker they support the (Data Merge) option, but when it merges it places the fields horizontally in order. I spoke with a representative and they said with the purchase of InDesign I will have the ability to merge the fields in vertical order, but I dont see how ID would have that option if you need pagemaker to even do a (Data Merge.)

[Ken_Grace@adobeforums.com]

The DataMerge facility isn't a traditional mailmerge programme in that it
doesn't interrogate a database directly, but requires you to output the data
into a comma or tab separated text file. It reads horizontally to fill the
fields. I can't visualise what you mean by merging the fields in vertical
order.

k

[Daniel_Hager@adobeforums.com]

Okay...
Its places the fields we merge from out csv file from:
(Left to Right - Top to Bottom)
1-2-3-4
5-6-7-8

We need it to merge:
(Top to Bottom - Left to Right)
1-3-5-7
2-4-6-8

The setup of the magazine is similar to how "Auto Trader" lists their ads. Top to Bottom - Left to Right.

[Ken_Grace@adobeforums.com]

The programme reads the data left to right, but you can place it anyway you
want.

I think this is pretty standard practice in any mailmerge programme. Field1
is identified with Field identifier 1, field 2 with field identifier 2 and
so on. But you can put field identifier 2 above, to the left, to the right,
below field identifier 1. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that a
horizontal row from your text file relates to a single page in your
document.

k

[Daniel_Hager@adobeforums.com]

Does the trial have the option to data merge?

[Daniel_Hager@adobeforums.com]

Can you describe more in detail of this Ken?

[Ken_Grace@adobeforums.com]

What more detail do you need?

A mailmerge programme separates a list of data into identifiable parts, and
defines a name for each part. You place the placeholder for each of the
identifiable parts wherever you like on a page. The programme then produces
a series of pages, one for each record, and puts the appropriate piece of
data in the position you defined.

k

[Daniel_Hager@adobeforums.com]

I thought u meant you could define how they merge. We're doing 20 a page and need them to be placed Top to Bottom and THEN Left to Right... PM seems to only to L to R and then T to B.

[Ken_Grace@adobeforums.com]

I really don't see the problem. You should be able to put placeholders
wherever you like.

k