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ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS2
User Guide
See also
“About the Variables palette” on page 505
About data sets
A data set is a collection of variables and associated data. When you create a data set, you capture a snapshot of the
dynamic data that is currently displayed on the artboard. You can switch between data sets to upload different data
into your template.
Thenameofthe currentdataset is displayedatthe topofthe Variablespalette. If youchangethe valueofavariable
so that the artboard no longer reflects the data stored in the set, the name of the data set is displayed in italic type.
You can then create a new data set, or you can update the data set to overwrite the saved data with the new data.
See also
“About data-driven graphics” on page 505
“To play an action on batches of files” on page 503
“About the Variables palette” on page 505
To use data sets
• To create a new data set, click the Capture Data Set button in the Variables palette. Alternatively, choose
Capture Data Set from the Variables palette menu.
• To switch between data sets, select a data set from the Data Set list in the Variables palette. Alternatively, click the
Previous Data Set button or the Next Data Set button .
• To applythe data on theartboardtothe currentdataset,chooseUpdateDataSet from theVariables palettemenu.
• To rename a data set, edit the text directly in the Data Set text box. Alternatively, double-click the words Data Set:
(to the left of the Data Set text box), enter a new name, and click OK.
• To delete a data set, choose Delete Data Set from the Variables palette menu.
See also
“About the Variables palette” on page 505
About variable libraries
In a collaborative environment, coordination between team members is essential to the success of a project. For
example, in a company that creates websites, the web designer is responsible for the look and feel of the site, while
the web developer is responsible for the underlying code and scripting. If the designer changes the layout of the web
page, those changes must be communicated to the developer. Likewise, if the developer needs to add functionality
to the web page, the design may need to be updated.
Variable libraries enable designers and developers to coordinate their work through an XML file. For example, a
designer can create a template for business cards in Illustrator and export variable data as an XML file. The developer
can then use the XML file to link variables and data sets to a database and write a script to render the final artwork.
This workflow can also be reversed, where the developer codes the variable and data set names in an XML file, and
the designer imports the variable libraries into an Illustrator document.
To import variables into Illustrator from an XML file, choose Load Variable Library from the Variables palette menu.
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