I think the easiest way would be to use Data Merge for this one. Just Create a column in a spreadsheet called “Cert. Number” start cell A1 with 1150 then drag down until you have as many as you need. Then save it out as a Tab delimited text file.

Then create one certificate with the “Cert. Number” place holder and you can then merger the whole document without having to create all the separate pagest manually

also there is the added benefit that you could give the excel/database document to the people accepting the certificates so they can check them off as the redemption happens.

I haven't used smart styles but I believe they are 2 seperate things. EasyCatalog is more for getting Data from a database in to your catalog. Smart Styles is about setting up templates to apply styles and formatting once it exists in InDesign.

There is some overlap in EasyCatalog you can create a library that contains styled items and use it to place your data on the page.

I am biased I like EC a LOT! But if you aren't dealing with databases or spreadsheets and you are just looking at a way format things that are already in the document go with smart styles.

Hmmm… I guess you would need to be a little more clear. When you update your data via Sync with source it only updates the Panel. Then you would need to update the document by using UPDATE DOCUMENT> ALL. This should update the new data in the panel to the specified place holders in the Document.

EC does take some time to get used to but we have now have 4 users on it and they all seem really happy with the time it saves them. Figuring out pagination rules and working with tables is your biggest ally.

I don't believe it is fair to say that EasyCatalog doesn't retain the links from issue to issue. I think EasyCatalog has worked the best for me in this situation. It might be just a matter of setting up your Library or Panel differently. I use EasyCatalog now and had used Meadows Autoprice before. I find that EasyCatalog is an amazing plug-in that I haven't even scratched the surface on. It easily does the simple linking stuff as well as flowing my entire data in a matter of minutes.

Just chiming in to make sure EC doesn't get a bad rap.

Awesome… I have wondered this for awhile. I have certianly gotten used to the Wacom Intuos Tablet that I have been using for about 2 years now. I find the 1 to 1 relationship to objects on the screen helps me navigate panels faster. Not to mention being able to map scripts or favorite shortcuts to the express Keys. I on the most part love using it but here are my main gripes.

If you are doing any text editing it is annoying to have to pick up and put down the pen all the time.

I miss quick multi Axis Scrolling that my old mouse had.

It is far to easy to accidentally move objects you didn't intend to move.

That being said I was thinking that for Indesign something like the bamboo with touch would be way better. Since it would Solve at least 2 of these problems. Scrolling can be handled with multi touch right? Thought about the Magic Trackpad since I love how multi-touch works on Apple's laptops. Have you tried doing full layouts without using the pen at all. The benifit of the pen is really its pressure sensitivity.

Is anyone out there using the Majic Track pad? How does it compare? I fell like a wireless multitouch option would be great becasue you could sit back and navigate everything holding the trackpad in your left hand and selecting things with your right. Perhaps you could put blobs of paint on it and then you could have a real painters pallate

I can't get to the link you have tried to post the URL seems fragmented or incomplete.