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Tina-Louise.Allaire
Inspiring
November 7, 2022
Answered

Copied variables changing in all documents

  • November 7, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 480 views

Hi,

I have [edited by moderator] copied added existing documents into a new book I'm working on and updated the variables with the relevant information. I looked at the documents that [edited by moderator] I copied from are referenced in both books, and the variables in [edited by moderator] those pre-existing files have also changed the files change, which is not what I wanted or expected to happen. Is there a way to update [edited by moderator] the variables in the copied documents each book and have the 'original' documents files retain their old variables?

 

Thank you.

 

Cheers,

Elizabeth 

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jeff_Coatsworth

    Did you copy the files from the "old" book and give them new names to put them in the "new" book? If not, then you are still working on the original files - the book file is just a container.

    3 replies

    Matt-Tech Comm Tools
    Community Expert
    Matt-Tech Comm ToolsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 9, 2022

    Hi Elizabeth, I'm glad Jeff got you the solution you needed. I made changes to your original post to more accurately describe what you were encountering and to help folks reading the post understand how FrameMaker manages content with book files.

    The reason the variables were changing is that the exact same files exist in two separate books. Often this is a great thing, as you can single source an entire chapter in multiple book files, while still maintaining proper numbering and links in your output. However, if you need to have separate values for variables, and you're not using FrameMaker 2022 (v17) then you'll have to either duplicate the files and maintain separate copies, or create files for the importing of the variables into the documents as needed. Creating MIF files for this purpose is something I discuss in FrameMaker - Working with Content in the MIF appendix, but managing with Fm 2022 I believe would be far simpler.

    -Matt Sullivan, FrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
      Matt-Tech Comm Tools
      Community Expert
      Matt-Tech Comm ToolsCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 9, 2022

      When updating your book, you have the choice to disable updating of Book Variables.

      Does this option resolve the issue for you?

      -Matt Sullivan, FrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
      T
      Tina-Louise.AllaireAuthor
      Inspiring
      November 9, 2022

      I don't have that option listed in the Update Book window. Perhaps that exists in a different version from the one I'm using.

       

      Elizabeth 

      Jeff_Coatsworth
      Community Expert
      Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 9, 2022

      @Tina-Louise.Allaire - did you create copies of the original files and add them to your new book?

      Jeff_Coatsworth
      Community Expert
      Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      November 7, 2022

      Did you copy the files from the "old" book and give them new names to put them in the "new" book? If not, then you are still working on the original files - the book file is just a container.

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