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Working with repeating data

XML is repeating if the same configuration of elements appears multiple times in a row, but the contains unique data in each instance. For example, database records are repeating. Addresses in a database table contain repeated information—name, street address, city, state, postal code—for a variety of individuals.

When you import repeating XML content, you can tell InDesign to clone the repeated elements in the structure. Cloning allows you to merge repeating XML data into a document without having to create placeholder elements in the Structure pane (or placeholder text in a frame) for every single record. For example, to import an XML address list with 25 entries, create a matching element structure for one entry in the Structure pane. When you import the complete list, InDesign clones that structure to create elements for all 25 entries.

Repeating XML content is flowed as a single story when it is merged into the document. If placeholder frames have been threaded together, the content is flowed from one frame to the next. If there isn’t enough room in the placeholder frame(s) to accommodate the XML content, you can autoflow the remaining content by creating and threading more frames; you don’t have to manually drag elements from the Structure pane into individual frames.

Threaded placeholder in layout (left) and layout after import (right)


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Bob - Adobe Writer said on Oct 8, 2007 at 12:15 PM :
For information on creating placeholders for repeating content, see the following excerpt from the InDesign CS2 Real World book:

http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/indesign/articles/indcs2at_placeholder.html
No screen name said on Oct 27, 2007 at 7:47 AM :
I was really hoping that by now inDesign could create new pages according
to the number of records in the database, but I haven't found any evidence
that this is now possible! If anyone can prove me wrong, please do !
Bob - Adobe Writer said on Oct 29, 2007 at 2:49 PM :
No, InDesign does not create new frames, pages, or documents for new XML elements. You don't provide much information in your question, but you may want to consider using the data merge feature to import the database items.
Jeff Sese said on Dec 19, 2007 at 7:51 PM :
Hi,

I've been trying to set this up for a training exercise, but I can't seem to get it
working. I tried a simple example, a contact list, and I can't clone the
repeating data.

I have:
<Contacts>
<Person>
<Name>Name1</Name>
<Address>Address1</Address>
<Phone>Phone1</Phone>
</Person>
<Person>
<Name>Name2</Name>
<Address>Address2</Address>
<Phone>Phone2</Phone>
</Person>
</Contacts>

When I import the XML and click the Clone repeating text elements, the data
in the second Person element doesn't show.

-- Jeff
No screen name said on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:57 PM :
I'm trying to learn a bit more about using XML through InDesign—a mailing
label for example.

so i have a file ready to go with all images and layout in place. the document
consist of 5 labels per sheet and I wanted to automatically insert/import
Name/Address1/Address2 into my document.

I already created a separate placeholder text box for each item mentioned
above—containing text and character attributes for styling.

the placeholder text boxes has been Tagged using the naming convention
above.

I duplicated all three boxes into each label within the sheet (5 sets) and
created 10 sheets—totaling 50 labels with different information.

so, what now??? I'd like to import data using Word or Excel...is this even
possible?

any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

Roy
Bob - Adobe Writer said on Jul 29, 2008 at 7:50 AM :
Before taking on XML for mailing labels, try the Data Merge feature.
No screen name said on Sep 11, 2008 at 6:29 PM :
I am trying to merge data from a .cvs file into an InDesign file, with multiple records per page, not just one record per page.
When I get to "Create Merged Document" and select "All Records" for Records to Merge, I am unable to use the "Multiple Records Options" and there is a little message that says:
"These options are disabled because Single Record is selected for Records per Document page"
What am I doing wrong?
Bob - Adobe Writer said on Sep 12, 2008 at 8:05 AM :
In the Create Merged Document dialog box, click the Records tab, and then choose "Multiple Records" from the "Records Per Document Page" pop-up menu. Then the options will be enabled.

 

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