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DesignMerge (Variable Data)
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Knowledgebase DesignMerge (Variable Data)

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PDF Page Picking, Import Options, and Set PDF Page Number to Import Action

This article explains how to specify which page of a multi-page PDF file will be imported into a DesignMerge variable picture frame. The article also explains the use of the Set PDF Page Number to Import action, which can be used to conditionally con...

2,129
Unexpected quote marks or inch marks in merged data

If you are seeing an unexpected quote mark or inch mark in a DesignMerge Text Link when you merge or update a document, then it is likely that your data file is using Text Qualifier characters. Various database and spreadsheet systems use quote marks...

1,332
How to use the Variable Link Function feature

This article describes the various Functions available for DesignMerge Text Variable Links. When a Function has been specified for a Variable Link, the data to be imported is calculated by DesignMerge (rather than read from a data field). For example...

2,639
What is a DesignMerge Data Source Definition (DDF)?

A DesignMerge Data Source Definition (DDF) is a construct that describes the data file you are using so that DesignMerge will know how to import data from that file. The DDF holds all of your Variable Link and Rule settings as well. DesignMerge provi...

5,224
Performance Benchmark and Troubleshooting for DesignMerge

This article provides information for improving the overall performance of DesignMerge variable data processing, as well as a list of known issues that we have encountered in actual use cases. In addition, the article provides details for downloading...

2,150
Document DDF versus Named DDF, how to choose

This article describes the difference between using a DesignMerge Document DDF and using a Named DDF so you can determine which type is most appropriate for your workflow. The Document DDF is the default configuration for DesignMerge Pro, and the Nam...

1,373
How to import, export and backup your DDF or DDF Set

A Data Source Definition (or DDF for short) is a file that holds all of the DesignMerge settings for your variable data job. This includes all of your data setup information (field names, etc) as well as all of your Variable Link and Rule definitions...

2,523
How to search for missing variable pictures and other variable assets

When merging a variable picture, article or other variable asset, DesignMerge follows a set of search rules to attempt to locate the asset. If the asset cannot be located, this results in a Missing Asset error condition. This article describes the se...

1,437
How to remove a preceding Line Ending when a variable link is empty

You can set up a variable link to be deleted if it is empty and also to remove the entire line if it becomes empty when the empty variable link is deleted. This deletes the Line Ending that follows the variable link. But what about the Line Ending th...

1,387
How to include a Line Ending in data for a variable text link

To include a line ending in data for a variable text link, use either the InDesign Tag or the MPS Tag for the line ending character. Then, set up the variable link to use the appropriate filter.  For example, to include a New Line (soft return / shif...

1,178
How to locate overset text in a variable data job?

When text overflows a text frame, InDesign displays a red plus sign (+) in the frame's out port, which is located near the bottom right corner of the frame. However, there are times when it may still be difficult for you to locate text frames that co...

1,225
How to set up keyboard shortcuts in DesignMerge

You can set up keyboard shortcuts for many DesignMerge menu commands. To assign a keyboard shortcut to a DesignMerge menu command, open the InDesign Keyboard Shortcuts dialog. One way to display this dialog is to open the DesignMerge menu and select ...

832
Variable link is not merging - variable link does not change when merged

There are several different settings that will prevent content in a document from being changed by a merge session:  • Confirm the content is assigned to a variable link. To determine this, you can set the document to show DesignMerge visual indicato...

854
DesignMerge variable links do not appear in the document

If you cannot see DesignMerge variable links or other DesignMerge information that you expected to see in a document, please check the following:  Is required software installed? Either the DesignMerge software or the DesignMerge Tag Display softwar...

1,036
A variable link is importing a filename instead of importing the text file content

If you would like a variable link to import the contents of a text file, you must select Article for the variable link's Type setting. When a variable link's Type is set to Text, the variable link will treat the data as text (the variable link in the...

888
DesignMerge keeps prompting me to select the data file

DesignMerge will prompt you to select a data file the first time DesignMerge wishes to apply one to a document's DDF. Additionally, if a data file has already been selected for a document's DDF, then by default DesignMerge will display a Verify Data ...

869
Automatic page numbering control for the DesignMerge Build Document feature

This article describes the processing of InDesign automatic page numbering for variable data jobs produced using the DesignMerge Build Document feature. DesignMerge provides a preference, Reset Page Numbering, to control how page numbers are assigned...

1,155
Can DesignMerge omit a page when variable text does not flow to it?

Yes, this can be achieved by adding the the DesignMerge Pro Pack to your DesignMerge Pro software order.  The DesignMerge Pro Pack provides a set of utility functions that have been integrated with DesignMerge to perform various variable data tasks. ...

697
Tips for Successful Addressing

This article was downloaded from the USPS web site, and discusses the basics of addressing. The article provides a few tips to ensure that your direct mail piece can be successfully read by automated mail processing systems. HOW ADDRESSES ARE SCANNED...

1,215
How to manage PDF Export settings for DesignMerge Server systems

DesignMerge Server systems are capable of producing automated PDF output for single or multi-record jobs. This article provides information about how to adjust the settings for the PDF output produced by DesignMerge Server. The PDF Preset can also be...

2,972
Typical Direct Mail Process with DesignMerge Pro [Overview]

This document provides an overview of the typical steps required for a direct mail process that will produce a set of postcards that have been created and personalized using DesignMerge Pro software for Adobe InDesign. The steps cover all aspects of ...

593
Consecutive Numbering

The DesignMerge software provides a Consecutive Numbering feature to facilitate merging a consecutive number. You can use the Consecutive Number Utility to create a data file that contains consecutive numbers when the only variable data that you wish...

798
DesignMerge Process Order Details for Pages, Frames, Links and Rules

On occasion, you may need a Link or a Rule to process at a specific point in the overall merge process. This document explains the overall processing order for Pages, Frames, Links and Rules for all DesignMerge merge operations. BASIC PROCESS ORDER S...

691
How to Include Variable Pie Charts and Graphs

To include variable graphs or variable charts (pie charts, line charts, area charts, donut charts, bar charts, and other types of charts or graphs) in a variable data job: Consider applying the Chartwell font, which are designed and licensed by Vectr...

275
Typical Direct Mail Process with DesignMerge Pro [Flowchart]

The following diagram represents the various steps described in the article Typical Direct Mail Process with DesignMerge Pro [Overview], and may be helpful as an accompanying visual reference.  

339
DesignMerge PDF/VT Errors and Other Issues on Recently Updated Windows Systems

This article provides details about various error conditions that have been reported by a number of DesignMerge Pro customers on the Windows operating system.  Note that these errors are caused by issues within the Adobe InDesign application that coi...

296
InDesign 2026 Windows Performance and File Issues

This article describes several error conditions that have been reported by a number of DesignMerge customers running on the Microsoft Windows operating system. Please note that these issues originate within the Adobe InDesign application and appear t...

418
Using Cloud-Synced Shared Drives with DesignMerge

Many teams use cloud-synced “shared drive” systems (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, etc.) to collaborate on files. DesignMerge and Adobe InDesign can be used with cloud-synchronized folders provided that the folders are configured to store file...

156