ReproScripts VDP Variable data manager plugin for CorelDRAW

This field generates a sequence of changing numbers for insertion into template objects.

Number field parameters:
• First number: the initial value of the sequence
• Increment step: the amount added on each cycle. Use a positive value for an ascending sequence or a negative value for a descending sequence. A step of zero produces the same number on every cycle.
• Repeat the same number: the number of consecutive records that use each value
• repeat cyclically: limits the sequence to the specified number of values and then starts it again. For example, with a first number of 1 and an increment of 1, the normal sequence is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ...; with a cycle length of 3 it becomes 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, ...
• Numbering style: controls how calculated numbers are displayed. In addition to standard Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, ...), values can be formatted as uppercase or lowercase Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, ... or i, ii, iii, iv, ...) or as a sequence of uppercase or lowercase Latin letters (A, B, C, ... or a, b, c, ...).
• add leading zeros: pads Arabic numbers with leading zeros to the specified minimum length
• Text before/after the number: optional text added before or after the formatted value. Both the prefix and suffix can contain multiple lines.

WATCH VIDEO: Import and use variable data from CSV/XLSX files in CorelDRAW

The plugin can import data from CSV text files or Excel XLSX workbooks and insert it into template objects. A CSV file is a simple text file that can be exported from Excel or another spreadsheet application and can also be created manually. An XLSX file can be imported directly without first converting the workbook to CSV.

A CSV file consists of rows whose columns are separated by a delimiter, commonly a comma.

Example of a CSV file with three columns:
Column1-1, Column1-2, Column1-3
…

Values containing the delimiter can be enclosed in quotation marks:

"Column, 1-1","Column, 1-2","Column, 1-3"
…

Where the plugin looks for the CSV/XLSX file

The plugin keeps project data close to the CorelDRAW template file. Before importing data files, assign a template to the project and save the template to disk.

If the project does not yet contain a CSV/XLSX file, click the import button and select one from disk. The plugin creates a working folder next to the template and copies the file there. Use the   button to import more files; each file field can then select the appropriate source.

Use the   button to open the data folder in Windows Explorer. Files added or removed there are detected by the plugin and reflected in the field settings.

Managing the import of data from a CSV/XLSX file

For each CSV/XLSX file added to the project, you can set additional parameters that control its import. The options are available from the second tab of the field.

For XLSX workbooks, rows and columns are read directly from the spreadsheet. The following text-format options apply only to CSV files:

Text encoding — corrects unreadable characters when a CSV file uses an encoding other than UTF-8. Select the file's actual encoding, or resave it as UTF-8 before importing.

Column separation character — defines the delimiter used to split each CSV row into columns. The delimiter depends on the application and regional settings used to create the file; a comma is common, but any suitable character can be selected.

has fields enclosed in quotes — enables quoted CSV fields. Quotation marks allow a field to contain the delimiter itself, such as a comma inside a comma-separated value.

You can also ignore empty rows, collapse repeated spaces, and skip the first row or column when it contains headers.

The preview on this tab shows how the imported data has been divided into rows and columns, allowing you to adjust the settings immediately if the structure is interpreted incorrectly.

What the plugin takes from the CSV/XLSX file

On each generation cycle, the plugin reads the next row and builds the field value from its columns.

The component list specifies which columns are used, how their values are processed, and the order in which they are combined.

When a new file data field is created, the plugin automatically adds a component that imports the complete text from the first column. You can use this default component as-is, change the selected column or processing mode, or add other components to build a more complex value.

Use the buttons in the component-list header to add:
•   the complete row or an individual column
•   static text, including multiline text
•   a line break

The plugin builds the value from top to bottom. Drag components by the   handle to change their order.

Columns not referenced by the component list are ignored. If requested data is missing, the plugin inserts an empty value and records the problem in the generation log.

Repeating values

The settings below the list control repetition. Normally, each file row is used once. Enable repetition to use the same row for the specified number of consecutive records.

The drop-down list defines what happens after the available rows are exhausted. By default, the field returns an empty value.

Alternatively, the field can return to the beginning and repeat either the entire file or a limited number of rows.

For example, if there are 7 rows in the file, then without a cyclic repeat the plugin will take the rows 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 'empty', 'empty', ...; if you specify the cyclic repetition of 3 rows, then the rows 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, ... will be processed.

This field is convenient for short lists entered directly in the project. Larger lists are usually easier to import from a CSV/XLSX file.

Click the   button to add a single- or multiline value. Drag items by the   handle to change their order; values are processed sequentially from top to bottom.

Each value can be repeated several times. Repetition can be configured for the entire list or separately for individual items.

When all values and repetitions are exhausted, the field returns an empty value by default. It can instead restart from the beginning and repeat the whole list or a limited number of items cyclically.

Random identifiers are often used for coupons, access codes, tickets, and tracking values. This field can generate identifiers with a configurable structure while preserving them for reliable reprints.

Predictability

Although the values are random, the same project must reproduce them when a print run or part of it is generated again. The plugin therefore generates and stores the values for each field. They remain unchanged between runs unless the field settings are modified or the stored values are deleted.

The generated identifiers can also be exported with the other project fields to a CSV file for customer delivery, verification, or further processing.

The stored random-value file is kept in the project working folder. Deleting it forces the plugin to generate a new set of random values on the next run.

Randomness

The component list in the field settings defines the identifier structure. A simple identifier may contain one random component with a selected character set and length. More complex identifiers can combine several random components, static text, and line breaks. Drag components by the   handle to change their order.

The plugin processes the components from top to bottom and combines them into one value, allowing identifiers to contain arbitrary arrangements of digits, letters, symbols, and static text.

Enable only unique random values to prevent duplicates. If it is disabled, the same random value may occur more than once.

Repeating values

The repeat each value option specifies how many consecutive records use the same identifier. Cyclic repetition can also limit the field to a selected number of values and restart from the first when the end is reached.

Quantity of random values

The field list displays an estimate of how many unique values the selected structure can produce. This helps identify configurations that are too short for the required print run. If the plugin cannot generate another unique value, it reports the problem in the generation log.

Event tickets often require structured numbering that cannot be represented by a simple numeric sequence. The ticket field models a seating plan using zones, rows, seats, and optional prices.

Add ranges to the list and specify the zone, row range, seat range, and price for each one.

The dialog displays the total number of generated seats. During generation, the plugin processes each seat in order and makes its zone, row, seat, and price available for insertion into the template.

A configured seating plan can be reused in other projects by copying the field.

Importing a seating plan

If the seating plan already exists in a spreadsheet, it can be imported instead of entered manually.

Click the   button and select a supported data file containing the seating information.

Each imported row must provide the following information:

• zone: single column
• price: single column
• row range: required and accepted in either of two forms:
  a) separate columns for the first and last row
  b) one column containing the first and last row separated by a hyphen
• seat range: required and accepted in either of two forms:
  a) separate columns for the first and last seat
  b) one column containing the first and last seat separated by a hyphen

Map the source columns in the import dialog. If a range contains only one row or seat, the same source column can be selected for both its beginning and end. The imported ranges are added to the table and then processed sequentially during generation.

Repeating values

Seat data can be repeated for several consecutive records. Cyclic repetition can also restart the seating plan after the last seat has been processed.

Price format

Ticket prices can be formatted with a selected number of decimal places and a custom decimal separator.

Use a combined field when one output value must be built from several existing fields.

The component list can contain previously defined fields, static text  , and line breaks  .

The plugin processes the components from top to bottom and joins them into one value for insertion into the template.

Drag components by the   handle to reorder them, or click   to duplicate a component.

Each value can be further processed — the text case can be changed, extra spaces can be removed, or only a certain range of characters can be taken from the field.

The resulting combined value can be repeated for several records, and the source sequence can restart from the beginning when it is exhausted.

WATCH VIDEO: Dynamic color substitution when generating variable data in CorelDRAW

A color-swatches field provides a sequence of colors that can be assigned to the fill or outline of variable objects.

Click   to add an item, then click its color swatch to open the standard CorelDRAW color dialog.

Drag colors by the   handle to change the order in which they are processed.

Colors can be repeated globally or individually. You can also choose whether the field returns an empty value or starts again when the list is exhausted.

Variable text can be inserted into Artistic Text and Paragraph Text objects. Select a text object in the template and click  . The plugin preserves its formatting, including font, size, alignment, and color. A name is generated automatically for the new project object and can be changed if necessary.

The key setting is the source field whose value will be inserted. Select it from the drop-down list. If the list is empty, create a data field first. An object without a valid source field is marked as an error and prevents generation until corrected.

Selecting a text replacement method

For a text object, you can configure the method of replacing text when generating data. By default, the text initially present in the object will be completely replaced with a new value. If you select token replacement, you can add a list of text markers that will be found in the template text and replaced with the value of the specified field. Token replacement is useful for single- and multiline text because it changes only the marked values and leaves the surrounding text unchanged.

For example, a text object can contain the tokens $CUSTOMER$ and $CODE$. In the object settings, assign a project field to each token, such as a list of names and a random identifier.

WATCH VIDEO: Two modes of inserting variable data into text objects

During the data generation process, the plugin will replace the tokens with the required data, while preserving the text formatting — colors, fonts, etc. Working with tokens is available for both paragraph and artistic text, including multi-line text and linked frames.

Additional text value processing when replacing text completely

Full replacement mode provides additional value-processing options through the   button. For example, the value can be split by a selected delimiter and only one part inserted.

Text can also be added before or after the field value at the object level. This is useful when several objects use the same source field but require different prefixes or suffixes.

Dynamically changing the outline and fill colors

If the project contains a color-swatches field, assign it to the text fill or outline. The object's color will then change together with its text value during generation.

Options for Artistic text

Artistic Text can apply deterministic random variations to the height, width, and rotation of individual characters. The variations are derived from the field value, so the same value receives the same appearance when the job is generated again.

Options for Paragraph text

Paragraph Text can automatically reduce the font size when substituted text does not fit within the frame.

Linked paragraph-text frames are supported, including chains that span several template pages. When fitting text, the plugin considers the combined capacity of the linked frames.

The plugin can add variable barcodes to the template. Draw a rectangle at the required position and size, select it in the CorelDRAW document, and click the   button that appears in the object-list header.

The rectangle acts as the barcode container: its size, position, and rotation are used, while its fill and outline do not define the barcode appearance. Select a source field and optionally add text before or after the generated value.

Each barcode symbology has its own restrictions on characters, value length, and structure. The selected field must produce valid data for every record; otherwise, the plugin reports an error and cannot generate that barcode.

For every barcode type, you can set the foreground and background colors and rotate the code within its container. The container's own rotation is applied in addition to the rotation selected in the barcode settings.

For barcodes that support human-readable text, the available settings can include:
• font family
• font size as a percentage of the barcode height
• text stretching or centered alignment
• vertical text position relative to the barcode

Additional settings depend on the selected symbology. See the ReproScripts Barcodes plugin page for the complete list of supported barcode types.

QR code design

WATCH VIDEO: Variable designer QR codes with logos in CorelDRAW

For QR codes, you can select a design style and inspect it in the preview. Several standard styles are included, and custom styles can be created with the RS Barcodes plugin.

Logo placeholder in a QR code

An optional central placeholder reserves space for a logo or another image. The plugin calculates a safe area while preserving QR readability. Place the logo in the corresponding position in the template and use a transparent barcode background so that it remains visible.

The Variable data manager plugin can import and substitute images from a folder in batches. To add a variable image, select a rectangle, ellipse, or another vector object to use as its container. The   button appears in the object-list header and opens the image settings.

Import the required images into the project with the file-selection button. They are copied to the project folder next to the template.

A source field determines which image is used for each record. Its value is compared with file names in the Images subfolder. The value may match the complete file name or occur anywhere within it.

Partial matching allows descriptive file names but can introduce ambiguity. For example, the value 1 also matches Image 12 and Picture 101. A prefix and suffix can make identifiers unambiguous: the value [1] will not match Image [12] or Picture [101].

The supported image extensions are configured in the plugin settings, opened with the gear button  . By default, the plugin searches for jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, tif, and tiff files.

When a matching file is found, it is imported into the selected CorelDRAW container. Enable use the shape as a clip for the image on the Clip tab to place the image in a PowerClip, for example inside a circular frame.

Source images do not need to be resized in advance. Choose how each imported image is fitted to its container:

• Do not resize: keep the original size and center the image in the container
• Fit to the frame proportionally: fit the entire image inside the container while preserving its aspect ratio; empty space may remain
• Fill the frame proportionally: fill the container while preserving the aspect ratio; parts of the image may extend beyond the container and be clipped
• Fill the frame non-proportionally: stretch the image to the container dimensions

The rotation setting is applied before fitting, which is useful when all source images have the wrong orientation.

Before placement, the plugin can adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation, and reduce excessive effective resolution to 300 dpi. CorelDRAW applies these adjustments to RGB images, so conversion to RGB may be required during processing.

You can also select the final image color model: RGB, CMYK, or Grayscale.

If the project contains a color-swatches field, it can control the fill or outline of a vector object. This can be used, for example, to change the background color for each record.

PDF is the recommended general-purpose output format and is selected by default for new projects. The plugin generates the pages directly, without creating and processing thousands of pages in CorelDRAW. This makes it possible to prepare large variable-data jobs quickly while keeping the resulting file compact. The finished PDF is immediately ready to be transferred to a RIP, print server, office printer, digital press, or another device that accepts PDF.

When PDF is selected, its version is chosen directly beside the format name. Versions from 1.3 through 1.7 are available; version 1.7 is the default for new projects. Select an earlier version when it is required by an older RIP, print server, or document workflow.

Direct PDF generation supports variable text fields and barcodes of all types available in the plugin, including designer QR codes. Text and barcode objects are placed into the PDF together with the constant part of the CorelDRAW template, producing a complete print-ready document.

The following PDF-specific operations are available in the Processing group:

• Remove template from output file (leave only data) generates a PDF containing only the variable objects, for workflows in which the background is printed or processed separately
• Convert text to curves converts both constant and variable text to vector outlines, preserving its appearance when the fonts may not be available in the destination workflow; the converted text is no longer searchable or editable as text
• Split the output file by starts a new PDF after the specified number of pages, making large jobs easier to transfer, process, and reprint in parts
• Save project field data to a CSV file writes the generated field values to a separate file using the delimiter entered in the adjacent box, as described above

For ordinary variable text and barcode projects, PDF is usually much faster than CorelDRAW output and creates a smaller file. Slow page-by-page generation through CorelDRAW is justified when variable objects use complex text effects, linked text frames, or substituted images, or when the result must remain editable as a CorelDRAW document. In other cases, PDF normally provides the simplest and most efficient route from the project to print.

In CorelDRAW output mode, the plugin creates a CDR file with the required number of pages and inserts the variable data into each record. This is the most flexible but also the slowest method because every page is built and processed by CorelDRAW.

A template normally contains constant objects and variable objects. Variable objects are generated separately for every record, while the constant part is handled by the first list in the Processing group 1. This template-placement control provides three choices:

• Place template on master layer: move the unchanged objects of a single-page template to a master layer, reducing file size; variable data is placed above the master page, so the original object stacking order may change
• Remove template from output file: omit the constant objects from the CDR file and save the template separately as a PDF in the project folder
• Duplicate template on all records: copy both the constant and variable objects to every generated page. Use this when a multi-page template must retain a different constant design on each page.

The remaining processing options control how the generated pages are saved:

• Export to PDF 2 uses CorelDRAW to build every record and then saves the result as a PDF instead of a CDR file. Use this route when the job needs CorelDRAW-only effects or variable image substitution but the required delivery format is PDF.
• Convert text to curves converts both the constant and generated variable text to vector objects. This avoids missing-font substitutions, but the converted text can no longer be edited as text.
• Split the output file by divides a large CDR result — or a PDF exported through this mode — into files containing the specified number of pages. The practical page limit depends on template complexity and workstation resources.
• Save project field data to a CSV file saves the generated values separately using the selected delimiter, as described above.

To speed up both generation and print processing, the plugin can create files in PPML format. This open standard was developed specifically for variable-data printing. PPML offers performance and file sizes comparable to direct PDF generation and is considerably faster and more compact than building a multi-page CorelDRAW document. It is, however, a more specialized format and should be selected when the target digital press, RIP, or workflow software explicitly supports PPML.

Selecting PPML displays its generation-mode list and VDP record length directly beside the format name in the Output format group. The list provides Auto, Graphics, and Text. In graphics mode, variable records are rendered as PDF resources. In text mode, the constant template remains in PDF while variable text and barcode data are written directly into the PPML/PostScript stream.

Text mode is the fastest option and can generate tens of thousands of variable records in seconds. It supports both variable text objects and barcodes. Text objects used in this mode must use embeddable Type 1 / PostScript fonts and must not be linked paragraph text frames. Variable images and unsupported visual effects require graphics mode or another output format.

1. variable objects may be supported text shapes or barcode objects, but not substituted images
2. variable text must use an embeddable Type 1 / PostScript font
3. linked paragraph text frames and unsupported variable visual effects cannot be processed in text mode

Type 1 fonts use PostScript outlines and can be embedded efficiently in PPML text output.

By default, PPML is set to automatic mode. The plugin uses text mode whenever all variable objects are supported and automatically switches to graphics mode when the job contains incompatible objects or effects.

The PPML record length specifies how many consecutive pages the printing system treats as one set. This can be used with tray switching, for example when printing multipart carbonless forms on different paper stocks. For a three-part form, repeat each value three times and set the record length to 3 so that the press treats those three pages as one item.

The Processing group contains two options for PPML output:

• Remove template from output file (leave only data) excludes the constant background from the PPML output when the template and variable data must be processed separately. The template background remains available as a PDF in the project folder.
• Save project field data to a CSV file saves the generated values separately using the delimiter entered in the adjacent box, as described above.