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Sreekanth_S
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September 25, 2012
Answered

Snippets in FM10 (unstructured)

  • September 25, 2012
  • 3 replies
  • 2658 views

Hi

I am creating a FM10 template (unstructured). I have some standard paragraphs that the user can insert in multiple places while creating documents based on this template. Now, is it possible to create snippets of these paragraphs?

I am not keen on using variables for this, as the text I intend to reuse will have lot of formatting and may include a logo as well.

Update: I explored Text Inset option as well. Though it serves the purpose of reusing paragraphs with formatting and images, it requires me to create a new file for each (reusable) component. Is there a way I can have all the required components in one file (say MS Word doc file), and extract only a part of it as required? Also, is it is possible to map MS Word styles to FM tags while importing (similar to Robohelp)?

Please advise.

Sreekanth

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Bob_Niland

    > The snippets can be separate Flows in a single FM file, and imported individually as insets, with or without formatting.

    How this works is:

    Assume the snippets are all to be in a file named boilerplate.fm.

    For each snippet, create a separate disconnected page, using whatever Master Page. This is the one snippet per page model. You can also use a separate text frame for each, with multiple snippets per page.

    Select the text frame.

    Rename Flow: Tag: [A] to a string that uniquely identifies that snippet, such as [Disclaimer].

    Deselect [_] Autoconnect.

    [Set]

    <*> Rename Current Flow Only

    [Rename]

    In the text frame, enter the text snippet.

    In importing documents:

    File > Import > File

    File: boilerplate.fm

    <*> Import by Reference {usually}

    [Import]

    <*> Body Page Flow [Disclaimer]

    Formatting and Updating as you prefer.

    [Import]

    Insets are treated as complete paragraphs, although you can sometimes work around that with run-ins. If you need paragraph fragments, consider Xrefs or Variables.

    3 replies

    Arnis Gubins
    Arnis Gubins
    Inspiring
    September 25, 2012

    You could also have a look at the AutoText plug-in (see: http://www.siliconprairiesoftware.com/Products.html).

    S
    Sreekanth_SAuthor
    Legend
    September 26, 2012

    Thanks Arnis. Unfortunately, getting anything that involves $$ takes time in my company. But I have bookmarked this site for future references.

    P
    peter minneapolis
    Participating Frequently
    September 26, 2012

    If it's a major problem for a company to buy a proven and respected $10 productivity tool, IMO there's really a MAJOR PROBLEM at the company. You can try it without buying to test its productivity value in your workflow.

    HTH

    Regards,

    Peter

    _______________________

    Peter Gold

    KnowHow ProServices

    Sreekanth_S wrote:

    Thanks Arnis. Unfortunately, getting anything that involves $$ takes time in my company. But I have bookmarked this site for future references.

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 25, 2012

    > The snippets can be separate Flows in a single FM file, and imported individually as insets, with or without formatting.

    How this works is:

    Assume the snippets are all to be in a file named boilerplate.fm.

    For each snippet, create a separate disconnected page, using whatever Master Page. This is the one snippet per page model. You can also use a separate text frame for each, with multiple snippets per page.

    Select the text frame.

    Rename Flow: Tag: [A] to a string that uniquely identifies that snippet, such as [Disclaimer].

    Deselect [_] Autoconnect.

    [Set]

    <*> Rename Current Flow Only

    [Rename]

    In the text frame, enter the text snippet.

    In importing documents:

    File > Import > File

    File: boilerplate.fm

    <*> Import by Reference {usually}

    [Import]

    <*> Body Page Flow [Disclaimer]

    Formatting and Updating as you prefer.

    [Import]

    Insets are treated as complete paragraphs, although you can sometimes work around that with run-ins. If you need paragraph fragments, consider Xrefs or Variables.

    S
    Sreekanth_SAuthor
    Legend
    September 26, 2012

    This worked perfectly. Thanks a ton.

    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 25, 2012

    > Is there a way I can have all the required components in one file (say MS Word doc file), and extract only a part of it as required?

    Yes, but I would avoid using MS anything.

    The snippets can be separate Flows in a single FM file, and imported individually as insets, with or without formatting.

    They can also be separate paragraphs in a single Flow of an FM file, and merely cross-referenced.

    If they don't require elaborate formatting, they could also be Variables, all defined in a single external FM file, and format-imported.

    We use plaintext files, one per inset.

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