Formating Excel copy for a directory in InDesign (CS2)

[StephLynn]

I need to put together a large directory that is made up of a very long list of departments and staff contacts. I'm working from an Excel file and I'm wondering if there is a way to format the copy quicker without using an imported excel table. For example, the main phone number for each contact needs to be in bold. I have used Character Styles but this only saves time if I need to make changes later. Any suggestions?

 

[jmgalvin]

I'm not sure I understand your question - whether you want to bring in the excel doc with excel formatting or not.

When you get the Place window, check the "show import options" box for more options. If you format the tel numbers in bold in excel and you select "formatted table" you should get the bold in indesign.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[TYPPIET]

In my opinion it is best to create a table in Indesign and import the excel-data.
You will have to use the pop-tab script you will find at

http://www.pdsassoc.com

This is a very good an deasy script that will save you days of work.
Then create paragraph styles.
For instance a 'bold' style for all the phone numbers.
All the phonenumbers are in a separate column i presume. Select the column and assign the 'bold'-paragraphstyle.
Good luck

Using InDesign CS2 (Dutch version) in OSX 10.4.6 on a mac G4

 

[carlow]

What I would do is use the data merge feature in InDesign.

Export your excell file as a *.txt file tab delimeted.

In word put some headings on top like name, sirname, telephone number. Everything that is an item in your excell file.

Save the word file as a *.txt file.

Open InDesign and under the windows menu go to Automation > Data merge

There you will get a little help what to do in the pallet that open up.

Just follow these steps.

You have to create for each field like name a different field.

Then set up your paragraph styles for each field. By highligting the text and create your paragraph style and apply the style to a specific field name.

You can setup as much combinations as you want and by doing this you are creating a base document. Save the base document and then load your *.txt fileby following the steps in the Data merge pallet.

Normally your fields will populated with the data in the *.txt document and InDesign will create as much pages as you need.

Hopefully this explains it.

carlow