Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen Senior Content Strategist at 4OVER4.COM
Question

What file format do I need for my variable data?

Answer

Variable data is supplied as a simple spreadsheet. A standard CSV or Excel file does the job, with each column mapping to a field in the design and each row representing one printed piece.

  • File type: CSV or Excel are the standard accepted formats.
  • Columns are fields: one column each for first name, last name, address, offer code, and so on.
  • Rows are pieces: each row becomes one printed item.
  • Clear headers: label every column plainly so fields map to the right spots.

Clean the data before uploading, removing typos, duplicates, and inconsistent formatting, so the merge runs without surprises.

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