When Data merging from an Excel file How to keep the text formating?

hi everybody,

 

it probable problem posted before can't find answer (lack vocabulary maybe, englsh not language), please forgive me if hundred time see this.

 

i have create huge catalogue 1 of client. send me excel file , pictures crop. thought easy job. have use data merge after having link picture inside excel file.

the excel file divided in different categories, 1 of being spec of product list of feature.in excel file, in 1 cell there several ligne correspond 1 bullet point in catalog (don't know if clear).

each time trying merge cell, catch first line , mess next entry in catalogue.

 

the thing can far put feature following each other without going line pressing enter. , have rearrange text again in indesign once merge. ok 20/30 item, have 2500 item in catalog (they don't call bible nothing) . how merge cell excel without modifying , avoid work?

 

thanks help.

 

alex

i've seen caused several different things.

 

first line breaks in cell. that's no-no data merge. have export excel file plain text, , breaks destroy records changing number of fields (and number of records). can either create new columns sufficient hold of paragraphs 1 cell, or replace breaks in excel character or character combination not otherwise used , run find/change after merge replace proper break.

 

there apparently sort of bug in multiple record per page preview popped in cs5 , has not been fixed. previewing layout looks fine, merge jumbled. workaround undo preview step cmd-z or ctrl-z, or better not preview @ , merge on faith.

 

one of commercial catalog plugins might handle breaks in cells better id's native merge, i've not used them don't know.

More discussions in InDesign

adobe