Create data-driven graphics

Create the base graphic you want to use as the template. 

Use layers to separate the elements that you want to change in the graphic.

Define variables in the graphic. As we know, variables specify the parts of the image that need to change.

Create or import the data sets. Create the data sets in the template or import them from a text file. 

Preview the document with each data set. Before you export the file, check the preview to know how your final image will appear. 

Generate your graphics by exporting them with the data. We recommend using the Photoshop (PSD) format. 

Go to Image > Variables > Define.

Select your preferred layer from the Layer pop‑up menu with the content to be defined as a variable.

Select one or more types of variables: Visibility, Pixel Replacement, and Text Replacement.

Visibility: Shows or hides the content of the layer or the layer group

Pixel Replacement: Replaces the pixels in the layer with pixels from another image file

Text Replacement: Replaces a string of text in a type layer

Do one of the following:

• Enter a name for the variable in the Name field. Variable names can begin with a letter, underscore, or colon. They cannot contain spaces or special characters (except for periods, hyphens, underscores, and colons).

  Or,

• Choose an existing variable from the Name drop-down menu to link the layer. Layers linked to the same variable are shown next to the Name menu, along with the link icon.

Follow these steps when using Pixel Replacement variables.

1. Choose your preferred method to scale the replacement image:
   • The Fit method resizes the image to fit it in the bounding box while preserving proportions.
   • The Fill method resizes the image to fill the bounding box while preserving proportions. It may overlap edges in one dimension.
   • The As Is method preserves the size of the replacement image. It may overlap edges in one or both dimensions. 
   • The Conform method resizes the image to fill the bounding box. It may not preserve the original proportions. 
2. Select a handle on the alignment icon to choose an alignment for placing the image inside the bounding box. (This option isn't available for Conform.)
3. Check Clip To Bounding Box to clip areas of the image that don't fit in the bounding box. This option is available only when the Fill or As Is replacement method is selected. (This option isn't available for Conform.)

To define variables for another layer, choose a layer from the Layer pop‑up menu and select OK.

An asterisk appears next to the name of a layer that contains variables. You can use the navigation arrows to move between layers.

Go to Image > Variables > Define.

Choose the layer that contains the variable from the Layer pop‑up menu.

To rename the variable, enter a name in the Name text box.

Variable names must begin with a letter, underscore, or colon and cannot contain spaces or special characters (except for periods, hyphens, underscores, and colons).

Deselect the variable to remove it.

Do one of the following:

• Go to Image > Variables > Data Sets. 

Or,

• If the Variables dialog box is open, select Data Sets from the drop-down menu or select Next.

Select the new data set button () to create a new data set based on the current data set.

Select a variable from the Name drop-down list.

Edit the variable data:

• For Visibility variables, select Visible (to show the layer’s content) or Invisible (to hide the layer’s content).

• For Pixel Replacement variables, select Select File and then the replacement image file. Select Do Not Replace before the data set is applied to leave the layer in its current state.

• For Text Replacement variables, enter a text string in the Value text box.

Go to File > Export > Data Sets As Files.

Use the Select Folder button to select a destination directory for your files.

Choose data sets to export and hit OK.

Do one of the following:

• Go to File > Import > Variable Data Sets.

Or,

• Go to Image > Variables > Data Sets and use the Import button to navigate to the text file to import.

Set up your import options.

• Use First Column For Data Set Names: Names each data set using the content of the first column of the text file (the values for the first variable listed). Otherwise, the data sets are named Data Set 1, Data Set 2, and so on.
• Replace Existing Data Sets: Deletes any existing data sets before importing

Set the encoding of the text file or leave the setting Automatic before selecting OK.