John Garrett shows the best way to add line breaks to your text in your CSV file, using a feature of the Variable Importer script. He explains the limitations of Adobe Illustrator when it comes to paragraph returns, and also explains different keyboard shortcuts of different programs for adding line breaks in your spreadsheet cells.
- [Voiceover] If you want to use multiple…lines of text in one object in Illustrator,…the easiest way to do this is to use area type.…That way when the text reaches the boundary…of the text area, it just wraps…whatever doesn't fit down to the next line.…This is fine if it doesn't matter where the text wraps,…but if you need to break the lines at specific points,…you're gonna have to add the line breaks in yourself.…Getting line breaks into a spreadsheet isn't difficult,…but it can be a minor annoyance.…I'll show you two ways to do it in this video,…one normal way, and another method…that's specific to the variable importer script.…
First I'll show you the normal way, by which I mean…the way that's build into most spreadsheet programs.…Let's look at my column G,…which is the Powers Description column.…In row three there's a bit of text there.…It's a perfect candidate for a line break or two.…I'll double click in the cell so my cursor appears there.…If you're not familiar with Excel and spreadsheets,…your first instinct will be to press…
Author
John Garrett
Released
4/26/2016Designer John Garrett appreciates the many different types of variables and their practical uses, including generating business cards and direct mailers. In this course, he explains how to use variable data including managing linked images, graphics, tables of data, and graphs. He covers the entire workflow, from setup to exporting dynamic batches.
- Setting up Illustrator files
- Using Appearances
- Setting up data sources
- Importing data
- Managing linked variables
- Binding and using prepend paths and presets
- Using the Variables panel
- Naming data sets
- Generating multiple versions with batch exporting
Skill Level Advanced
Duration
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Introduction
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1. Exploring Variable Data
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What Is Variable Data?1m 12s
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Different types of variables4m 16s
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2. Setting up Illustrator Files
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Naming objects4m 25s
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Using area type2m 32s
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Using point type1m 57s
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Using variable data graphics4m 50s
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3. Setting up a CSV Document
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Setting up data in Excel3m 25s
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Saving a CSV file3m 11s
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4. Importing using Variable Importer Script
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Opening Variable Importer3m 19s
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Creating and using presets1m 32s
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Testing and importing a CSV2m 22s
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5. Working with the Variables Panel
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Uploading data sets4m 8s
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Dealing with overset text3m 41s
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6. Exporting and Reviewing
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Creating a save action3m 25s
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Conclusion
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Next steps1m 12s
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Video: Using multi-line text in a spreadsheet