Data merge help

[BadgerM]

Hi, I was wondering if someone could help me with the data merge feature in Publisher. All the resources I've looked at seem to suggest only specific field headings can be imported. Is this the case or is it that each column in the spreadsheet has to have a unique title and a matching tag in the Publisher file?

Secondly, do all the fields have to be filled for it to generate? I work for a company that produces a lot of name badges and in our case some people might just want a name printed on, and others might want their name and a job title printed. Can this be done? can we have different text positions based on which fields are filled?

For example;

--------------------------

<Name> 10mm baseline

--------------------------

<Name> 7mm baseline

<Title> 12mm baseline

--------------------------

I'm guessing it might be possible with tags like <Name1>, <Name2>, <Title2>, <Name3>, <Title3>, <Title3>. The screenshot attached is similar to how the data usually comes into us and how we are normally able to use it. We are currently running some modified Corel software that is stuck on an old version that we really should be upgrading. Affinity could be a great replacement I'm just trying to see how easy it will to transition over as we have A LOT of work to do IF I can make this work. I do love the Affinity products so *fingers crossed* I can do that.

[anto]

7 hours ago, BadgerM said:

each column in the spreadsheet has to have a unique title

yes

7 hours ago, BadgerM said:

some people might just want a name printed on, and others might want their name and a job title printed. Can this be done?

yes

Look at video how it works with your data

 

 

[Komatös]

9 hours ago, BadgerM said:

Can this be done? can we have different text positions based on which fields are filled?

I suppose you would like to center the name when no other record field is filled? 
Here there is a clear no. A variable positioning of the data fields depending on the content is not possible with the data merge.

I had realized something similar decades ago, with Microsoft Access. This required some if/then queries in the output procedure.

[anto]

29 minutes ago, Komatös said:

I suppose you would like to center the name when no other record field is filled? 
Here there is a clear no.

It is possible if you organize your data in right way.

Look at video

 

 

[Old Bruce]

20 hours ago, BadgerM said:

1. .... do all the fields have to be filled for it to generate?...
2. in our case some people might just want a name printed on, and others might want their name and a job title printed. Can this be done?
3. can we have different text positions based on which fields are filled?

 

1. No you do not need any data in the data field.
2. Yes it can be done.
3. Not easily, see the excellent video from anto.

[BadgerM]

10 hours ago, anto said:

It is possible if you organize your data in right way.

Look at video

 

 

Ok cool, thank you! That's what I have been looking for. It will mean us formatting our files in a different way from what we normally do but I was expecting that to be honest. I need to have a proper play around with it as even though I've used Affinity Designer and Photo for about a year or so now I've never touched Publisher.