Publisher - Data merge for each page in a document

[Andara]

I sell bundles of digital papers on Etsy, and need to create "sets" with varying numbers of images per page (ie one set with 2 images per page, another with 4, another with 8 etc).

At the moment, I have each of these layouts as a different document, and run the same csv (with the paths to each of the images in the bundle) on them separately. Each bundle contains anywhere from 20 to 60 images.

It would be a nice little time saver if I could run the data merge just once to create all of the sets for each bundle.

I've tried adding the layouts for each set to one document - but running the data merge on it doesn't create a "set" for each page. It adds the first two images to page 1, the next four images on page 2 etc.

Is it possible to get the data merge to run through the entire csv for EACH page in the document, before moving onto the next page?

And is there a tutorial or guide that goes through all the different settings in the reference fields panel?

Thanks!

[walt.farrell]

Welcome to the Affinity forums, @Andara.

What you want to accomplish doesn't match with how Data Merge works, I'm afraid, and I'm pretty sure that using separate documents is the only way to accomplish it.

For the Fields panel, I would suggest starting with the Help if you haven't already (https://affinity.help/publisher2/en-US.lproj/pages/Panels/fieldsPanel.html) and the "See also" references at the bottom of that page. That includes a section on Data Merge. Then, please feel free to ask questions.

Or, perhaps the 3 Data Merge topics in the Legacy V1 Publisher Tutorials will help.

[2ChainShane]

thank you very much, I see from the V1 video playlist you recommended the error of my workflow. Thank you so much for your swift reply!

[walt.farrell]

You're welcome.

[Andara]

Thanks for the response, @walt.farrell. I did half expect that it wasn't possible  😞

I've already checked out the Help section, but to be honest, its a bit light on. I still have no idea on what half of those options actually do, or how to use them! I feel like I'm not really using the data merge to it fullest potential.

[walt.farrell]

1 hour ago, Andara said:

I feel like I'm not really using the data merge to it fullest potential.

There's are some good non-Serif tutorials about Data Merge on YouTube, too, easily found by searching, if the official Serif Help and tutorials don't cover something.

[Catshill]

I produced a programme that contained three different product lists.
I ran a data merge on three separate APu Documents. I then placed each of the three output documents into the main document.

[walt.farrell]

4 hours ago, Catshill said:

I produced a programme that contained three different product lists.
I ran a data merge on three separate APu Documents. I then placed each of the three output documents into the main document.

That sounds like an interesting approach; thanks for mentioning it.

I'm curious what method you used to combine them in the end. You mention "placed" but do you mean Place, or Add Pages from ...? 

[dominik]

On 8/22/2024 at 5:47 AM, Andara said:

At the moment, I have each of these layouts as a different document, and run the same csv (with the paths to each of the images in the bundle) on them separately. Each bundle contains anywhere from 20 to 60 images.

It is possible to have multiple different data merge layouts on top of each other on one page. In other words you could have your layouts in different 'Layers' on each page of the document. Note: these Layers are basically just containers (or groups).

Which image goes into which Layer is configured in the CSV. That way you can merge different numbers of images on each page.

I assume the setup is a bit challenging but if it works the result could speed up the process just as you are looking for.

I could try to create a sample document but this may take a little.

d.

[dominik]

1 hour ago, dominik said:

I could try to create a sample document but this may take a little.

I looked into what I have on mind but, indeed, it is not an easy thing to set up. I'll come back.

d.

[Catshill]

9 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

I'm curious what method you used to combine them in the end. You mention "placed" but do you mean Place, or Add Pages from ...? 

Place x3 on as many pages as necessary incrementing the source page accordingly.

[Andara]

On 8/23/2024 at 9:32 AM, walt.farrell said:

There's are some good non-Serif tutorials about Data Merge on YouTube, too, easily found by searching, if the official Serif Help and tutorials don't cover something.

Yes, I've watched a few YT videos on it now. Most are fairly basic, and I haven't found any that cover all the settings in the field panel.

15 hours ago, dominik said:

It is possible to have multiple different data merge layouts on top of each other on one page. In other words you could have your layouts in different 'Layers' on each page of the document. Note: these Layers are basically just containers (or groups).

Which image goes into which Layer is configured in the CSV. That way you can merge different numbers of images on each page.

I assume the setup is a bit challenging but if it works the result could speed up the process just as you are looking for.

I could try to create a sample document but this may take a little.

d.

This sounds like an interesting approach. It probably wouldn't work though, as the layouts aren't all the same page size and orientation.

 

20 hours ago, Catshill said:

I produced a programme that contained three different product lists.
I ran a data merge on three separate APu Documents. I then placed each of the three output documents into the main document.

That pretty much sounds like what I'm currently doing - and by the looks of it , will need to continue to do!

[dominik]

1 hour ago, Andara said:

It probably wouldn't work though, as the layouts aren't all the same page size and orientation.

No, it won't work with different page sizes. I've been working on it but haven't got it to work completely. Basically it does but I somehow mixed up something in my data source.

Most likely @Catshill's solution could be your solution. Good luck.

d.

[Catshill]

 

On 8/23/2024 at 7:29 AM, Catshill said:

I produced a programme that contained three different product lists.
I ran a data merge on three separate APu Documents. I then placed each of the three output documents into the main document.

Tips:

When you create the three product source files in APu make sure the page sizes, styles* and master pages match the main document they will be merged into. The easiest way to do this is to copy the main document three times.

Filename: Use the suffix ‘unmerged’ for these documents e.g. “unmerged Product 1” and when you have run the merge, save them as “merged Product 1” and so on.

Use the merged versions to import into the main document. As these are linked any changes will be automatically incorporated into the main document. 

In order to keep version control sane, make changes to the unmerged versions and run the merge again, otherwise you run the risk of having mixed up products. If you do edit the merged version, don’t use the unmerged one again or run a merge again for this product.

By setting up customised *styles based on each other for each product you can vary their appearance so that each product has its own characteristic.

Finally, it takes longer to explain than to do 😀

[Andara]

Thanks @Catshill, I will give that a try! I appreciate your help.

Edited August 25 by Andara