InDesign

Insert data fields

When you select the data source, a list of data field names appears in the Data Merge panel. These names are identical to the column heads from the data source file. Icons indicate whether the field is text or an image. When data fields are added to your document, they become field placeholders, such as <<Company>>. You can select and format these placeholders as you would any other text or graphic.

You can assign an image field to an existing frame to create a floating image. Or, if the insertion point is in a text frame or if text is selected when you insert an image field, a small placeholder is inserted as an inline frame. You can resize the image placeholder to determine the size of the merged images.

Once you insert a data field, InDesign remembers its data source. Any errors in the list of fields, such as typos, empty fields, and unintended field types, must be corrected in the source application and then updated using the Data Merge panel.

Insert a text data field in the target document

  1. Create a text frame on a document page or master page.
  2. Place the insertion point in the text frame where you want the field placeholder to appear, or select the text you want to replace.
  3. To insert a field placeholder, do one of the following:

    • Click a field in the Data Merge panel list.

    • Drag a field name from the Data Merge panel list, and drop it onto the text frame to add the placeholder. If you drag a text field onto an empty frame, the empty frame becomes a text frame.

Text field placeholders appear in the target application within double angle brackets (such as <<Name>>) using the current formatting attributes (such as font and size).

Note: You cannot create a valid field by simply typing the field name or editing an existing field. You must insert it from the Data Merge panel.

Insert an image data field in the target document

  • To insert a new inline graphic placeholder, drag an image field onto a text frame, or place the insertion point in a text frame and click the image field.
  • To insert a new floating graphic, drag an image field onto an empty frame or existing graphics frame. If you drag an image field onto an empty frame, the empty frame becomes a graphics frame.
  • To insert a field into grouped items, table cells, or nested items, drag the image field onto the target.

    Image field placeholders appear as frames containing the field name.