A plugin named Repetor has these features. Check it out

Plugins provide room for this.
In fact, at the point of posting this comment, there are several plugins available for this.

I believe this is plug-in is already done, plugin name Google Sheet you can import data with this plugin in multiple way. Like JSON, CSV files and also can paste direct link of share documents.

Please add the ability to have multiple columns text-replacement in the same.

It would be really nice if we could import a json file from the actual product to see how real data would fit the design

I would like to be able to create an iphone/ipad compatible character sheet for role-playing games. I would need to be able to have user defined fields and drop down menus that are connected to a database. I don't even need the drop menus if I can type in the information for everything. I have no idea if this is even possible with Adobe XD. This is my first time trying the application. I have attached a basic character sheet that I am trying to recreate with user defined fields.

It would be awesome if there was a method to select an artboard and it generates an embedded excel data file in Adobe XD with rows and columns (kinda like you see in "keynote" application- See image) After that, I can export the data into an excel doc or to InCopy to have the copywriters fill in the right content. After the writers are done updating the content. I can then import or relink the updated data to Adobe XD seamless.

Any update on the progress of this?

Feature started two years ago and nothing new about it yet? C'mon, guys... make it happen.

much needed

Seriously Adobe?!? You used the "Design with Data" feature as a main selling point of Project Comet three years ago. I remember being blown away at your SXSW session. It's unbelievable that there is no word about it now. Not sure why you even released XD. Without the data import feature... meh.

It would be great if we could simply copy paste data from spreadsheet: select cells in a column, copy, select a text field in a repeat grid, paste - it populates all other instances in that grid.

Managing separate text files especially when you need to change order between rows is time consuming.

'feature started' two years ago... WHERE IS IT? XD

The ability to bind UI elements to a JSON data source would be a killer feature. Primarily when wanting to rapidly prototype a change to an existing product where the data already exists (as do the JSON sources). This would enable design teams to focus on solving complex UX requirements and not waste precious time maintaining faux / mirror data.

What I'd really like to see is the ability to import data as a JSON file and then refer to it using something like mustache calls:
{{ data.item.name }}

Then connect the symbol to a data.json file and set my repeat grid...that would be pretty slick.

It's just 3 years later! What do you expect from Adobe!? Please continue to pay for your subscription and we'll maybe improve Adobe XD. But it'll be very very slow. We hope you have a second job, because right now Adobe XD is pretty useless for making money.

Well said! Without performing data this is pointless!
Either you make a "Data Merge" like this Adobe MAX or like you already have for a long time in InDesign, or you make it exportable to insert data.

Even though it's a handy app, 5 minutes on it, is 5 minutes wasted, since you're not going to take advantage of what's been made.

Create Database Options:

Create simple database options for simulation of for example, registered users

FYI, copy and pasting from Microsoft Excel works well.

This tool will help: https://www.repeatgrid.com/

You can generate any combination of data, export to txt file and drop into XD.