PM 7.0 Merge from .csv document Problems

[andraw]

I'm running PageMaker 7.0 on Windows 2000. I am trying to merge 53 records, with approximately 87 elements each (numbers and/or text), in .csv format, into a one-page-per-record document.

Problems:
1. Records on top of records in the merge. I've divided the merge into 10 records at a time (size seems more manageable on my machine) but the second and third record for each set merges on top of one another. In the end, what should be a 10-page document is 9, and it appears I'll have to individually move/remove each text box for the record and re-merge the offending record.

2. Error message: "The field "x" in record "x" cannot be opened. Fix the record in the data source file and then choose the Select Data Source command again." I have inspected field x in record x and can see no reason for error. Once I press "OK" I get the message: "Data Merge cannot complete because of an unknown error. Please restart PageMaker and try again." I have tried re-selecting, re-starting, and re-booting, all to no avail.

3. When I do the merge, at least one element does not progress with the records. It continues to use the information in the first record with all of the succeeding records, no matter how many times I re-merge. Progressing through the records in "preview" does not create this output.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Andra

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, Andra,

Lyn's the resident expert on Data Merge, but in the mean time you'll have to suffer me.

This is an FAQ she wrote: Data Merge: Basic Prodedure

And here's two links to Adobe on-line tutorials:
Set up records for a smooth merger
Merge records with a publication

I hope they help.

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[andraw]

Thanks--tried all that and the results are no better (though I'm thrilled to be able to merge the graphic files now too--thanks for that earlier post & tutorial!!!). I look forward to more ideas.

Andra

 

[BionicJohn]

Hi, Andra,

I've been searching around and found this:

"Troubleshooting Unexpected Termination:

Note that your merge process will terminate if the program detects an error.

You will see an error message that describes the problem; for example, "The field 'name' in record 'number' cannot be opened."

You will then be asked to restart PageMaker.

Fix the record in the data source file and then choose the Select Data Source command again.

This is designed to help you identify and correct the error immediately.

You can choose to skip the erroneous record by using the Ranges option in the Record Range section of the Merge Records box during the Merge Records process."


Seems like the record identified in your data is dodgy - an unacceptable character or something missing, perhaps?

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.