Data Text

Lede. Reads one column’s value from the current record and forwards it as text into the placeholder pipeline.

Group: Data · Available in: Text / Image / QR / Barcode placeholders, Layout flow, Filename · Central node: No

Purpose

• Use a column value (product name, price, SKU, …) as the placeholder’s content.
• Chain several Data Text nodes together to assemble composite strings like FirstName + " " + LastName.
• Wrap a value with a prefix and suffix (e.g. € prefix, excl. VAT suffix).
• Pass through text from another node’s output when set to [Input] mode.

Where to find it

Add Node ▸ Data ▸ Data (the menu label is "Data"; the node’s display name is Data Text).

How it works

Pick a column in the settings panel; the node emits that column’s value for the current record. Multiple Data Text nodes wired in series concatenate their outputs left to right – the chain is the most common way to assemble a multi-part string. A connected Formatter modifies the chained value before it leaves the node.

Set the column to [Input] instead of a real column to pass through the upstream value unchanged – useful when you only want to add a prefix or suffix, or apply a formatter to text that originates elsewhere.

When the central placeholder has a Repeater wired in, the column popup automatically lists the secondary sheet’s columns and the node reads from that sheet during iteration. No setting changes required – the picker switches with the wiring.

Sockets

Settings

Example (end-to-end)

Scenario. Build the line Product: <SKU> – <Name>.

Wiring.

[Static Text: "Product: "] → [Data Text: SKU] → [Data Text: Name] → [Placeholder.Content]

Settings on the Name node. Prefix: –. Suffix: empty.

Result for SKU A123, Name Bolt M4: Product: A123 – Bolt M4.

Empty / error behaviour

• If the column is empty and Allow empty value is off, the node returns nil and the placeholder enters its error path. A wired Error Action socket then takes over (e.g. Remove text frame, Use fallback text).
• If the column was deleted or renamed in the datasource, the node loses its selection. The node shows a red border in the editor; reopen its settings to pick a column again.

Limitations

• One column per node. Use multiple nodes in series to read several columns.
• Reads from the master sheet by default; switches to the secondary sheet automatically when a Repeater is upstream of the placeholder (and to the Table’s data-group sheet when used inside a Table workspace via the Data Text (table) variant).

Common pitfalls

• The picker lists the wrong sheet. A Repeater (or Table data group) further upstream changes the sheet context. Disconnect to revert.
• A formatter "doesn’t apply" to part of the chain. Turn on Apply format to selected data only to scope the formatter to this node’s value only.

Related nodes

• Static Text – emits a fixed string; common chain partner.
• Text Formatter – the only thing that can wire into Format.
• Data Text (table) – the Table-workspace variant; reads from the table’s data group.
• Data Group – when its output reaches the placeholder via Repeater / Table, this node’s picker switches sheets.
• Repeater – drives the per-row iteration that makes the node read from a secondary sheet.

Screenshots

📷 Screenshot [NEU]: Data Text settings panel
📷 Screenshot [NEU]: Chain example: Static Text → Data Text → Data Text → Placeholder