SCRIPT · FREE · InDesign / JSX · CSV, TXT → PDF
Data Merge PDF Export for InDesign
Export individual PDFs from InDesign Data Merge records, naming each file from a data column and checking the result before replacing existing files.
Requires desktop Adobe InDesign, a saved INDD document and a local Data Merge source.
Free · JSX ExtendScript · 29 October 2026 · Test in InDesign before production use
Features
- Export selected rows and ranges (e.g. 13,15-18,22) as separate PDFs.
- Use a data field to name each output file.
- Check missing images and overset text automatically.
- Optionally export only missing PDFs and handle existing files.
- Track progress, write a report and protect existing files when validation fails.
Installation and use
- Download and extract the ZIP, then install the JSX via Window → Utilities → Scripts → User.
- Open a saved INDD master with Data Merge fields already configured.
- Run the script. On first use, configure the source file, output folder, filename column and PDF preset in the guided dialog.
- The script saves
mrc-merge-config.jsonnext to the master. You can edit those settings later inside the script. - Select sheet rows (row 1 is the header) and export.
Notes
You do not have to create the JSON file manually. The source must be readable and the filename column must exist. This tool does not download Google Sheets data; use MRC Google Sheets Bridge separately to refresh the source.