How to create incremental numbers in InDesign or Illustrator?

Question

I have an A3 layout with several tickets to be printed, each with an consecutive number. Is there a way to do it automatically instead of writing it by hand?

Answer 1

Sure. One way you can do this is by using spreadsheets to create consecutive numbers and import them into InDesign. Below is a break down of how you might create sequential numbering:

1. GOOGLE SPREADSHEETS
2. In box (A1), begin by typing NUMBER; in box (A2) type 1; in box (A3) type 2. 
3. Select (A2) and (A3) and on the lower right hand corner of your section click and drag down to the number of tickets you’ll need. (For instance, if you need 32 tickets, you’ll drag down to row 32. This should give you a column of numbers from 1 to 32.)

NOTE: To change the number format go Format > Number. Here you can select from a number of formate options and create custom formats.

1. Download this file by going to File > Download > Comma Separated Values (CSV).

1. ILLUSTRATOR
2. Create a ticket template and size the art board around your template by using the Artboard Tool located in the Toolbar (It should be above the color swatches).
3. Save your Design.
4. INDESIGN
5. Open InDesign and import your ticket template using one of the following shortcuts: Command D for Mac or Control D for PC. Select your ai file. Once you have your template you can resize and center it.
6. In InDesign, go to Windows > Utilities > Data Merge. This will open the Data Merge dialog box.
7. Select the Type Tool from the Toolbar, create a text box and place it where you need it on your template.
8. In the Data Merge dialog box, go to the Data Merge fly out (4 bars located on the top right corner), choose Select Data Source, navigate to your Spreadsheet and open it. It should appear in your Data Merge dialog box as NUMBER. Select NUMBER then check Preview.

1. Select the Create Merged document button (above NUMBER to the right) to bring out the Create Merged Dialog Box. Set the following.
2. Records to merge: All Records
3. Records per document page: Multiple Records
4. Check preview multiple record layout (this should give you a specified number of tickets with the numbers listed on each sequentially).

Finally, in multiple record layout you can space your templates. Best of Luck.