The question was:
How do I select a certain number of records before doing a data merge in Indesign (using javascript).
In order to select the range you need to set the dataMergePreferences within the dataMergeProperties. I've included a handy script with UI which will allow you to select your record range.
main();
function main()
{
//Set document to open indesign doc, from a file dialog box.
var myDocument = app.open(File.openDialog( "Pick an indesign file template." ));
myDocument.dataMergeProperties.selectDataSource(File.openDialog("Select your .csv file for import. The Merge process can take some time...", "*.csv"));
with(myDocument.dataMergeProperties.dataMergePreferences)
{
//----------- UI for record range ----------------------//
var myWindow = new Window ("dialog", "Record Range to Import");
var myInputGroup = myWindow.add ("group");
myInputGroup.add ("statictext", undefined, "Range:");
var myText = myInputGroup.add ("edittext", undefined, "1-10");
var allRecordsCheckbox = myInputGroup.add ("checkbox", undefined, "&All Records");
//allRecordsCheckbox.shortcutKey = "c";
myText.characters = 20;
myText.active = true;
var myButtonGroup = myWindow.add ("group");
myButtonGroup.alignment = "right";
myButtonGroup.add ("button", undefined, "OK");
myButtonGroup.add ("button", undefined, "Cancel");
myWindow.show ();
if (allRecordsCheckbox.value == true){
RecordSelection.ALL_RECORDS;
}else{
//how many records to import in a range
recordRange = myText.text;
recordSelection = RecordSelection.RANGE;
//or you could do one record by choice
//recordNumber = "pageNumber";
//RecordSelection.ONE_RECORD;}
}
myDocument.dataMergeProperties.mergeRecords();
//Set measurement units so units on place match layout
with(myDocument.viewPreferences){
//Measurement unit choices are:
//* MeasurementUnits.agates
//* MeasurementUnits.picas
//* MeasurementUnits.points
//* MeasurementUnits.inches
//* MeasurementUnits.inchesDecimal
//Set horizontal and vertical measurement units to inches.
horizontalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.inches;
verticalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.inches;
myDocument.viewPreferences.rulerOrigin = RulerOrigin.pageOrigin;
}
//This Saves the document under a new name for later use.
//myDocument=myDocument.save(File("specialdatamerge.indd"));
app.activeDocument.save(File("specialdatamerge.indd"));
//This Closes the document, with an option to not save the Auto.indd file used for the merge.
//This is a good idea so the original file is not destructed.
myDocument.close(SaveOptions.no);
}//End Main
