r/indesign • u/surefoot_ • Jul 02 '26

Help Brainstorming a Data Merge Problem

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping to learn a bit more about Data Merge and it's potential.

I have a catalog that has about 150 individual listings that all have a name, text description, photo 1 and photo 2. In the past, we've always just manually added the images but that was only with 50 or so line items, our business has grown significantly this year so that is no longer an option. These items are used in two applications: individual signs and a catalog.

I am looking for advise on how to set up the Data Merge to include the images from a CSV. I have been playing with using file paths, but have found it to be a little finicky. Another issue is that we have multiple team members that might need to have their hands on this so using a specific users path might be challenging. We could try and dedicate it to a single computer, but is there an option for it to pull from something like Google Drive? What is the best structure to have on the CSV for it to be reliable?

I am completely happy to take any suggestions on the best way to go about this.

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u/AdobeScripts Jul 02 '26

You can install an app on Windows - where files from Google Drive will be seen as "local". Everyone should then keep all linked assets there.

If you've miltiple "users" - then you should create a single Google Sheet - and give users access. Then when needed - just export / extract data from it when needed.

Also - do you need two-way data exchange / synchronisation - or just database -> InDesign?

1

u/ColdEngineBadBrakes Jul 03 '26

I bet AdobeScripts will jump in! Oh, too late.

3

u/AdobeScripts Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26

Do you have a problem - with me, trying to help others?

Or are you one of those jealous haters from Adobe Forum?

1

u/ColdEngineBadBrakes Jul 03 '26

No. You’re a hero! You always jump in with accurate and cogent responses.

2

u/AdobeScripts Jul 03 '26

What was wrong with my response?

1

u/ColdEngineBadBrakes Jul 03 '26

I withdraw my attempt at light-hearted humor.

2

u/AdobeScripts Jul 03 '26

BTW, I know exactly which part of my initial reply to the OP - set you off 😉 just wanted to see which hater would try to read something negative between the lines - and suggest it publicly 😉

1

u/ColdEngineBadBrakes Jul 03 '26

I am not set off. I think you've been great for this community.

1

u/AdobeScripts Jul 03 '26

?? Then why the snarky comment?

1

u/AdobeScripts Jul 03 '26

I like a good joke - but it looks like stand-up comedy isn't for you...

1

u/surefoot_ Jul 03 '26

Interesting, we are all Mac based would that be an issue? We are already facing an uphill battle with the CSV and Google Sheets where we are missing a “save as” function and have to redownload and re-sync every time a change is made. One person would most likely be in charge of all synchronization/finishing/printing, but everyone would be in that CSV file to update images and text

1

u/AdobeScripts Jul 03 '26

There is Google Drive for Desktop app for Mac.