numbering business cards

[33FWGraphics]

I want to create cards that are to be used as a "get home free and safe" pass. I need the cards to be individually labeled with a control number. Does anyone know of a way to automatically number these cards? I have downloaded a page numbering script made specifically for CorelDraw and it works great for simple page numbers, however, it doesn't allow a more precise placement on the page. And when down the road I need to change the numbering sequence I have to delete each individual number on each page and run the script again. Am I wanting cake and to eat it too! Uh! Yeah, if I can have it?

 

[nullgod]

Hi,
This may not be exactly what you are looking for, but I have used this for numbering businesscards I use as upgrade licences. Its a little labor intensive, and I use it on v7, later editions may have something better.

This is from the help file, easy steps to do it there too.

"Print Merge lets you print the same document many times using different text each time you print. For example, if you are printing invitations, you can personalize each invitation by merging in different text.
Print merge works by combining a specially formatted text file with a CorelDRAW file. The CorelDRAW file must contain text that will be replaced by words from the text file during the print merge. Each time the CorelDRAW file is printed, words from the text file are substituted in the printed version."

On your page you have the textbox where you want to replace something - any text will do.


Then you select print merge from the file menu. It asks you to select the merge file. This is a plain text file with the following format

10
\001-000001\\001-000002\\001-000003\\001-000004\\001-000005\\001-000006\\001-000007\\001-000008\\001-000009\\001-000010\002-000011\002-000012\002-000013\002-000014\002-000015etc...etc...etc

The 10 at the beginning is the number of fields on the page.

Next is the text names as they appear on the form. I have 10 cards to a page and used the text 001-000001 to 001-00010.

Lastly is the text to replace it with. The easiest way I have found to generate so many items is to use a spreadsheet with an additive formula, then export it to text
you have to have the double / between everything as the delimiter, they dont have to be on seperate lines like I have though.

Hope this helps ya...

chat soon
nullgod

 

[33FWGraphics]

Thank you for your input. I had discovered the "print merge" option just after submitting the post. I followed your directions up to the point where you imported sreadsheet text? I can't say that this feature is any faster than just creating the 10 cards on the sheet, editing each individual text block, hit print, then repeat the process.

 

[nullgod]

Sorry, I didn't explain it fully. If you make cell A1 equal to the number you want to start at, here I have just done 1. Now you just need 2 small formulas:

A1 equals 1
A2 equals =A1+1
B1 equals = "/001-" & TEXT(A1,"00000&quot & "/"
B2 equals = "/001-" & TEXT(A1,"00000&quot & "/" (same as B1)

This will fill out the spreadsheet like this

1 /001-00001/
2 /001-00002/

To get lots and lots just highlight A2 and B2, use [ctrl-C] to copy, then click the mouse down on A3 and drag the mouse down to draw a square going down as many rows as you want serial numbers. You can highlight just the A column or A and B. Now use [ctrl-V] to paste and the whole section will fill with the two formulas in row 2.

You can then highlight the serial numbers you want and copy -> paste them into your text file.

I have used this technique to create thousands of serial numbers in minutes.

chat soon
nullgod

 

[33FWGraphics]

Wow! This print merge is really getting to me. I just don't have enough experience with it. I hate the old cliché "that's the way we've always done it". If I hear of a "better" or "faster" way, I want to know how to do it. I appreciate all your help but I beleive this is training that requires a more "hands on" approach. Until then I guess we'll just edit each number one at a time. Maybe there's a website tutorial I can find. I'll keep digging, I WILL NOT GIVE UP!

 

[nullgod]

If you want to send me an example of the 'serial numbers' (how they look, starting no., ending no.) and the Draw file with the spot that the numbers will go I will build the merge file for you.

You can send to me on nullgod@swift-infotech.com.au if you like.

I agree entirely there should be a better system in place for a product as versatile as Draw. Maybe there is in v8 v9 or v10, but I still like my v7.

chat soon
nullgod