CorelDRAW lets you combine text from a data source with a drawing. When you merge documents, you can produce several different copies of a drawing. You can use merged documents to create personalized documents, such as mailing lists, questionnaires, and targeted marketing documents, where each printed document contains specific information from a record in a data source, such as a text file or an ODBC data source (a Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access file).
When you merge documents, you create a form document in CorelDRAW and combine it with a data source. A form document provides the pattern and layout for a merged document. A data source supplies information for a drawing during the merge. CorelDRAW supports the following data source files: Text (TXT) files, comma-separated values (CSV) files, Rich Text Format (RTF) files, and files that can be opened by means of an ODBC data source.
Data source document (1), form document (2), and merged documents (3)
Create a data source file
Information in a data source file is organized into fields and records. A field can contain one or more characters. Fields can contain alphanumeric data or only numeric data. For example, a record may include a first name, last name, address, and other contact information. Each item within the record, such as first name, last name, or address, is recognized as a field. A record can contain one or more fields.
You can create a data source file or import an existing one. You can create a data text file by using CorelDRAW or a text editor. You can edit the data in a data source file at any time.
Create a form document
Creating form documents is similar to creating regular drawings. For form documents, however, you insert merge fields, which are replaced by information from the data source during the merge.
Associate a form document with a data source file
When you use CorelDRAW to create a data file, or when you import an existing data file into CorelDRAW, the data file is associated with the form document. The association is always stored with the document and cannot be changed.
Perform a merge
CorelDRAW provides different output options for merge documents. You can print a merge document or save it to a new document. When you print a merge document, the form document is merged with the data source file during printing. When you save the merged document to a new file, the application merges the form document with the data from the data source file in a new CorelDRAW file. You can use this file to preview your final output and make minor adjustments before printing. For major changes, such as the addition or repositioning of merge fields or the addition of new records, you must work in the form document.
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Click File  Print Merge Create/load Print Merge. |
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In the Print Merge dialog box, click Add Column. |
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In the Add Column dialog box, type a column name in the Name box, and then do any of the following: |
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To create a numeric field, enable the Numeric option, type a field name, and then click Add. In the Numeric fields options area, you can apply formatting to the data in a numeric field by choosing a format from the Format list box, and automatically increment the value in a numeric field by enabling the Continually increment value check box and specifying starting and ending values in the corresponding boxes. |
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Click the Add a record button  , and type data in the fields corresponding to that record. |
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Click Save Data Source. |
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In the Save As dialog box, type a filename, choose the drive and folder where you want to save the file, choose a file format, and click Save. |
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In the Print merge dialog box, click Configure Columns, select a column from the Select column list box, and click Edit Column.
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Click Configure Columns, select a column from the Select column list box, and click Delete Column.
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Type the record number in the Go to Record box, and click Go to Record.
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Different numeric formats are available in CorelDRAW. For example, the X.0 format represents the value 1 as 1.0; the 00X format represents the value 1 as 001.
Backslashes function as markers to indicate the beginning and end of merge fields; therefore, you cannot use them as data in fields.
Data in fields must end with a character. Blank spaces or lines before backslashes prevent the merge from being completed successfully.
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Click File Print Merge Create/load Print Merge. |
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In the Print Merge dialog box, click the Import File. |
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In the Open dialog box, navigate to the folder where the data file is stored. |
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Click File Print Merge Create/load Print Merge. |
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In the Print Merge dialog box, click Open ODBC Data Source. |
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In the Select Data Source dialog box, do one of the following: |
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Click the File Data Source tab, and select the file data source that describes the drive that you wish to connect to. You can use any file data source that refers to an ODBC driver that is installed on your machine. |
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Click the Machine Data Source tab, under Data Source Name, select a data source type, and click OK. |
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Click File Print Merge Create/load Print Merge. |
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In the Print Merge dialog box, select or create a data source file. |
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In the Print Merge panel, choose a field name from the Fields, and click Insert Selected Field. |
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CorelDRAW places the merge field in the center of the current view. If you want to reposition the merge field, drag it to a new location on the drawing page. |
If you want to edit the form document later, click File Print Merge Edit Print Merge.
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Click File Print Merge Perform Print Merge. |
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Click File Print Merge Merge to New Document. |
The features documented in the Help are available in the full version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019. Some features may not be available in this version of the product.
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