The dreaded Data Merge "There is at least one data placeholder that cannot be found" error
when using Data Merge, so many of us have gotten the "There is at least one data placeholder that cannot be found in the data source. Make sure all the placeholders correspond to the fields in the data source." error and have spent way too much time trying to find the issue.
Can Adobe add a way to highlight what InDesign is objecting to when this message happens?
This morning, I gave up and inserted the text manually. There were only 4 elements on each of my 5 Master pages and I could not find the offending object.
Slappy K
shared this idea
-
John C
commented
David Curious. I have a question. Hit me up at john@jjcstudios.com
-
Forlorn Photos commented
When creating an InDesign merge document, be sure to select the fields from the list that is generated after you select a data source. Double click on the field name in the list to place it into your document. Don't try to freestyle by typing them manually. I often get the placeholder error when opening a previously saved file that has outdated (or invalid) field names. All it takes is one bad one and the merge will fail even if all the others are valid. When in doubt, run a test by placing the merge fields into a completely blank document and trying to run preview from there. Remember, when you get the placeholder error, the problem is your InDesign layout, not the data file. Hope this helps.
-
David Curious commented
if anyone pay me, i can write a script to do that.:)
-
Matthew Anacleto commented
Had came across this issue today. I solved it deleting all placeholder frames and using the move pages to a new document. I had object styles for all the elements so it was a snap re-building.
-
Andre
commented
Great idea, avoid having to cross check the CSV and data labels!
-
Anonymous
commented
Worst game of hide and go seek ever! Come on make a noise little link!
-
JD
commented
I have the same issue and am unable to find the cause. It is inconsistent, sometimes it works, other times not. Agree entirely that Adobe should at a minimum highlight where the problem is to simplify troubleshooting!
-
Vicky
commented
I'm experiencing the same error as the previous user - It worked, then it didn't. I'm not using real info, just testing out a few columns.
-
Anonymous
commented
I'm also having this issue and just testing with 4 cells filled in with information, 2 row, 2 column + title and it's messing up. It worked and then it didn't