Name: Using the data merge feature
Uploaded: 2025-07-14T13:34:45.779386+00:00
Duration: 271 s
Channel: Henry Kay
Description: Here, I have a list of names. Notice how they're divided into first and last names, two columns. We have our first row being the header, the name of the variable we're going to be using in the data merge feature. Next, we wanna save this file. We're gonna click download. And save it as a comma separated value sheet. Now, this is really important because the data merge feature requires it.

Here, I have a list of names. Notice how they're divided into first and last names, two columns. We have our first row being the header, the name of the variable we're going to be using in the data merge feature.


Next, we wanna save this file.


We're gonna click download.


And save it as a comma separated value sheet. Now, this is really important because the data merge feature requires it.

Here, I have a list of names. Notice how they're divided into first and last names, two columns. We have our first row being the header, the name of the variable we're going to be using in the data merge feature.Next, we wanna save this file.We're gonna click download.And save it as a comma separated value sheet. Now, this is really important because the data merge feature requires it.

https://d3ev5earl6dvd0.cloudfront.net/public-media/videos/010/946/010946/video_p46DzM0.mp4#t=18

Henry Kay

Using the data merge feature

Creating a text box

Selecting the data source

Merging the data

Designating the data to a variable in InDesign

Setting the margins and copying to Illustrator

Adjusting your laser cutter settings

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https://d3ev5earl6dvd0.cloudfront.net/public-media/videos/010/946/010946/video_p46DzM0.mp4

We want the width to be 3 inches and the height to be 1.5.


Then we're gonna create a text box.


That's going to contain.


And first name and last name.


We want the text box to be the same with.


As our box.

Then what we want to do is we're gonna click on window.


Go down to utilities and click data merge. Now, we're gonna click on this icon right here. We're gonna select our data source, and we're gonna click on the name tag sheet that we downloaded.


Now that we have clicked on our data source, we're gonna highlight.


Then the first name, which is going to be first. Remember how our first row was named first? This will be the name of the variable, and now we're gonna highlight last name and click on last.


And as you can see, the names are here.

Next, we're gonna create merge document.


We're gonna select multiple records. We're gonna click on multiple record layouts. We're gonna create our margins to be zero.


Now I'm gonna click OK.


And here you have it.


Multiple name tags.

Now, I'm going to export this into our Adobe InDesign, as I've already have here. We're going to save our spreadsheets.


As a common separate values file.


And then I'm going to go to InDesign again, Windows. We're going to click on utilities and data merge. Now, I'm going to click on our data source.


Then I'm going to designate our Data To a variable.

Next, I'm gonna click on create merge document. We're going to click on multiple records. We're gonna make sure that our margins are 1/8 of an inch, and the spacing in between the name tags are


One-sixteenth of an inch. I'm gonna click OK.


And then here you have it.


I'm going to copy and paste our design into a new Adobe Illustrator file as you have it here.

And then make sure that our margins are one eighth of an inch. And here you have it.

Click on file, print, click on setup.


Preferences, adjust your laser cutter settings for the material you are working with.