Variable Data – Why is it useful?

It allows you to create multiple files from a set of data using a single design. Simply and quickly import text and images from a CSV file.

Possible PIC uses:

• Business Cards
• Featured Images
• Case Studies to PDF

Advantages:

• Saves time
• Better organizes workspaces
• Easy to update

Step 1 – Create design and define variable and static elements

Variables (1) Image (2) Text
Static (1) Logo (2) 30% Overlay

Step 2 – Create Variables

• Open variables menu (Window > Variables)
• Click element you want to be dynamic and add it to the variables
• Repeat

Step 3 – Set up spreadsheet

• Recommended to use Google Sheets
• First Row of spreadsheet must match variable names
• Image variables row must start with an @ symbol to search for a path
• Path names can’t have blank spaces
• Download as CSV file
• You can also define visibility of objects with a # symbol

Step 4 – Import CSV in Illustrator

Editing elements will affect all Data Sets (i.e. image sizes, opacity, etc)

Step 5 – Batch export artwork

• Open Actions Menu (Window > Actions)
• Use an existing action or create a new one (i.e. save for Web)
• Export all Data Sets at the same time

Additional information

Same can be done in Adobe XD with Google Sheets plugin. For high fidelity prototyping you can create a grid and populate it with data from a CSV file.

 

Tutorials:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUiRGLT8byA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpwXj2E7YNA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8z0l5moNIw