Method of utilizing variable data fields with a page description language

A computer implemented method of associating a data area defined in a page description language specification with a plurality of variable data items in a merge file, comprising the steps of:

• providing a field name in the merge file associated with the plurality of variable data items;
• monitoring data areas defined in the page description language specification for a character string matching the field name;
• and
• responsive to a detection of the character string matching the field name, associating a data area containing the character string with the plurality of variable data items in merge file;
• wherein the monitoring step is performed during a step of interpreting the page description language specification;
• wherein the step of interpreting the page description language specification includes the step of generating bit maps for data areas defined in the page description language specification;
• and
• wherein, responsive to a detection of the character string matching the field name, the step of interpreting the page description language specification includes the step of not generating a bit map for the data containing the character string.

A computer implemented method of associating a data area defined in a page description language specification with a plurality of variable data items in a merge file, comprising the steps of:

• providing a merge file including a plurality of variable data items and including a field name associated with the plurality of data items;
• providing a page description language specification, defining at least one data area;
• monitoring data areas defined in the page description language specification for a special character, wherein the special character has a predetermined relationship with a character string matching the field name;
• responsive to a detection of the special character, identifying the character string;
• and
• associating a data area containing the special character with the plurality of variable data items in merge file associated with the field name.