Data merge problems in InDesignCS2

[Kazza]

Hi everyone. I am producing an 8 page document, from which I am trying to merge data from a Microsoft Excel .csv doc. There are on average 20 records per page and I have used InDesign text tables as the client requires a strict 3 column layout. There are no changes to images. The end result will produce a document with over 4,000 pages.
My problem is that that when I try to merge the data (which previews fine), it gets all the way to the end and bombs out, not producing a merged document. I have tried splitting up the document into single pages, but it does the same thing on the complicated pages. I have tried downloading a trial version of ID CS3, but the same thing happens. Could it be a memory problem? I have 1MB of RAM. Maybe it's the way I have set it up. Can anyone help? My deadline is approaching!!

 

[oscuh]

Sounds like an Adobe tech support issue to me ....

Sorry, wish I could help!

 

[iMeowbot]

What's "bombs out"? Does the program actually crash, or does the document generation fail, leaving InDesign running? Do you get any error messages at all when this happens?

 

[Kazza]

What's "bombs out"? Does the program actually crash, or does the document generation fail, leaving InDesign running? Do you get any error messages at all when this happens?

Yes, I meant the whole program crashes. The message just says InDesign quit unexpectedly and generates a report. I think it is because I have used tables. I have redesigned the document without the tables and it is working better.
Still does not close up the gaps left by empty fields, even though I have that option selected and have used soft returns and leading to create the line spacing. However, the printer thinks we can overcome that with a plug-in he has. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Kazza]

Sounds like an Adobe tech support issue to me ....

Sorry, wish I could help!

Thanks anyway, I think you are right! I think we may have got round the problem now.

 

[balkan]

When importing check option select unformatted excel file.

try importing into word and than into indesign.

 

[macstudent]

4000 pages is a bit excessive, even for InDesign. That is my best guess as to why it is crashing. I would recommend breaking up the excel file into smaller sections so that your data merge will only create 500 or so pages for each run. Then just run date merge 8 or so times to get your desired result.

I hope that helps.