UI option
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn more about Variables panel to merge a design with CSV or XML data and create multiple artwork variations.
Merge an Illustrator document with a data source file (CSV or XML file) within the Variables panel to create multiple variations of your artwork. You can change the names of participants on event badges or vary images across web banners and postcards without having to redo your artwork.
You can access data merge functionality from the Variables panel in Illustrator (Window > Variables). The Variables panel displays each variable’s name and type, along with the bound object name in the Objects column as it appears in the Layers panel. You can sort the list by variable name, object name, or variable type by selecting the column headers.
A. Sort by Type set B. Capture Data Set C. Switch between data sets D. Panel menu E. Name of bound object F. Variable name G. Variable type H. Delete variables I. Create variables J. Unbind variables K. Make visibility dynamic L. Make object dynamic M. Lock variables
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Function |
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Data Set |
Shows the current data set or variation being previewed from your imported data. |
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Variable panel menu |
Shows additional options like importing or save variable libraries and managing data set. |
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Previous Data Set and Next Data Set |
Switches between data sets to preview artwork variations. |
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Variables |
Displays the name assigned to each variable controlling text, image, or object properties. |
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Objects |
Displays the name of the artwork object that the variable is bound to. |
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Sort by Type |
Sorts the variables list by variable type such as Text String, Image, Graph Data, Linked File, Visibility for easier organization. |
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Lock Variables |
Prevents variables from being edited or accidentally changed. |
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Make Object Dynamic |
Binds the selected artwork object to a variable allowing image swapping or object replacement. |
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Make Visibility Dynamic |
Binds the selected object’s visibility to a variable. |
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Unbind Variable |
Removes the binding between a variable and its artwork object. |
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New Variable |
Creates a new variable that can be assigned to selected artwork. |
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Delete Variable |
Deletes the selected variable(s) and unbind it from any objects. |
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