Photoshop Data merge

Last updated on Oct 27, 2021 | Also applies to Creative Cloud for enterprise

Use Photoshop's text layers and embedded smart layers and a data file to generate multiple variations of an input .psd file.

What is Photoshop Data merge?

Want to create web, email, or social media ads and banners and you want multiple variations? Photoshop data merge is a great way to quickly generate many variations of a multiartboard .psd file. All you need is a single Photoshop .psd file (with at least one text layer or embedded smart object layer) and an input data file (CSV or Google Sheets). Learn more about smart objects in Photoshop.

Learn to:

Run a task
Save a task

Prerequisites

Before you run the task, you'll need to set up your input data file and your Photoshop (.psd) file.

1. Create a CSV file

The first line of the data file is the header. Here you'll create titles for each column. These titles you'll match to the text layers and embedded smart object layers of your .psd file.

Each subsequent line of the data file is the data line. Here you'll add the information to replace for each variation that you want the data merge to generate.

For text: Simply add the replacement text.

For images: Add the name of the image file that you'll upload as part of the task.

Note:

The variant images will need to be upload as part of the task. So, need to enter only the image names. Do not include the image path of the local drive.

Sample CSV

2. Set up Photoshop (.psd) file

Your Photoshop (.psd) file must contain at least one text layer (for text variants) or embedded smart object layer (for image variants). Of course, you can have as many text and smart object layers as you need. However, ensure that your data file has columns to match these layers.

A column header on the data file may be mapped to more than one layer on your .psd.

Run the Photoshop Data Merge task

Upload a .psd file with one or more text layers and / or one or more embedded (not linked) smart object layers.

In the Quick tasks screen, click Photoshop Data Merge.
Click Start and then Select.

Select a templated PSD file with text or embedded smart object layers to replace.

If you see an error message because you've uploaded an invalid PSD. For example, your PSD file must contain either text or smart object layers.

Click Replace and choose another file.
After you're done uploading a valid PSD, click Next.
Either use a Google sheet or a CSV file from your computer with a valid format. See the prerequisites section above, for the CSV format.

If you choose to use a Google sheet, you'll be prompted for a public share link of the sheet.

Else, you'll be prompted to upload a CSV file from your computer.

Note:

If you're using a Google sheet, you'll get an error if you provide a private link.
(Optional), If required, click Replace, to choose another Google sheet or CSV file
After you've uploaded a CSV file or selected a Google sheet, you're prompted to map the layers in your .psd file with the columns in your data file.

Note:

At least one layer needs to be mapped or you'll get an error.
After you've completed your tag mapping, click Done to close the dialog.
Alert:
You'll get a warning if any of following issues are found in the data file mapping:

Images with incorrect formatting

Unsupported file formats

Blank data cells

If any of the above are encountered, a warning is displayed. You can continue without fixing the issues. However, if the file is incorrectly formatted, the final output of the task could have missing images or text.
Click Add to upload the image files referenced in the data file.

You can upload the following file formats:

JPG

PNG

PSD
In the Selected images dialog, either add more images to this task or click Add to continue with the currently selected images.

Note:

If any images that are referenced in the data file, are missing from the images that you've selected you'll get a warning for the images they still need to upload.
Click Next.
(Optional) Preview the PSD variants before running the task.
Once you're done, click Run task.
As soon as the task is complete, you'll receive a notification, by email.

To start a new task, click Return home.

To view the output of this task in Your Work, click View files.

Save the Photoshop data merge task

Save tasks that you'll perform repeatedly. For example, you want to create web, email, or social media ads and banners and you want multiple variations.

The first time you run the task, save it. We'll save all the configurations you've made. From then on, all you need to do is run the saved task and change the files to upload. All saved tasks are displayed in the Aspen home screen. So, when you're at the home screen, you can either choose to start a new task or re-use a task you've saved before.

As you proceed through the steps to run the task, you'll see a Save task button in the upper-right corner of your workspace.

Click at any point during the workflow.
Enter a name and, optionally, a description.

As you progress to subsequent steps in the workflow, we'll save any other configuration changes you make to the task.

As you progress to subsequent steps in the workflow, we'll save any other configuration changes you make to the task.
The next time you open a task you previously saved, you'll be prompted to choose if you want to use the previous set of assets or discard those are use a new set.

Common questions

At the start of the task, if you upload a .psd file that doesn't contain any text or smart object layers, we'll show this error.

Other quick tasks

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Remove background Learn more	Convert files Learn more	Apply presets Learn more