1.8

Variable Data
Variable data are data from a database or data file that are used to personalize documents for
each customer. Variable data fields can be inserted in the text directly. For example, if a
person's last name can be found in your data, the field that holds the last name can be used in
the text of a letter or email. Scripts in PrintShop Mail Connect Designer are the basis of
Variable Data Printing.
After loading data from a data file or database (see "Loading data" on page239), you can add
variable data fields to the contents of your template. You can do this via the drag-and-drop
method, or using the Text Script Wizard.
Use the Text Script Wizard when there are empty fields in the data, and the value of a data
field needs to be preceded or followed by a space, line break or text in the template. Otherwise,
empty data fields will cause empty lines and superfluous white spaces to show up in the text.
You should also use this method for blocks of data, such as address blocks, and when you
want to format data differently, for example, when you want a number to be displayed as a
currency.
You can use the drag-and-drop method for simple fields that do not need to be preceded or
followed by a space, line break or text.
Inserting variable data directly (drag-and-drop)
An easy, quick and direct way to insert variable data in the content is via drag and drop:
1. Open the section you want to add the data field to.
2.
Drag and drop a data field from the Data Model pane at the bottom right into the content
of your template.
To select and insert multiple data fields at the same time, press Shift or Ctrl, whilst
selecting fields in the Data Model pane.
What happens is that:
o
A placeholder for the value of the data field shows up in the text. It looks as follows:
@FIELDNAME@.
o
A text script appears in the Scripts pane at the bottom left.
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