Cross Reference Panel - Default Setting for Source Type

[Mattapan Mike]

In the Cross-Reference panel, I have to keep changing the Source Type field from Cross-Reference markers to Paragraphs. Can this be set to Paragraphs by default?

Thank You,

Mike

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

IIRC, no, but I'm willing to be corrected (btw - always start with your FM version because features change depending on version).

[Mattapan Mike]

Will do. Thanks

[Barb Binder]

This is a fairly new phenomenon, Fm didn't used to do this. Since this is a user-to-user forum Mike, I recommend posting this as a bug report on tracker.

If you come back and post the link, I will gladly vote for it. It's extra clicks where we don't need them.

~Barb

[Mattapan Mike]

Thanks Barb

[frameexpert]

What version of FrameMaker are you using? When I use the unstructured interface in FrameMaker 2022, it defaults to Paragraphs. The structured interface defaults to Elements Listed in Order.

One hack I have used with inserting Cross-References: I will copy an existing Cross-Reference and paste it where I want the new one. Then I double-click on the new Cross-Reference and it opens the dialog box and pre-loads it with the Paragraphs section of the dialog. Then I pick the new target and click Update.

[Barb Binder]

It's early here in Colorado.  I'll come back with a screen shot it a little bit, but it seems to me it's when I'm editing paragraph x-refs. Fm changes it to markers and I have to change it back and then find the paragraph style. 

I can tell you it's definitely a pain point but I've been sighing and plowing through and never got around to reporting it. It's been an issue for the past few years, so at least 2020 and 2022. Likely also 2019.

~Barb

[Mattapan Mike]

Get a cup of coffee and take your time. My memory is that I figured this out years ago. I think I printed out the solution but it is at home in a binder.

[Barb Binder]

Thanks, Mike. Got my coffee!!

In this clip, I break the x-ref and when I go to fix it, Fm changes from Source Type: Paragraph to Cross-reference Markers. I then have to choose Paragraphs, and then dig through the Tags list to find the paragraph style again before I can locate the text. 

In a situation where I'm working on a document with lists of  x-refs instead of a mini-TOC, the extra clicks are painful. I truly believe Fm didn't used to switch types. 

~Barb

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

It works that way in my copy of FM12 too Barb - it seems to start with the default set to Paragraphs, but if I'm editing xrefs, it flips to Cross-Reference Markers - I guess the idea was to be helpful? It would be grand if there was a maker.ini setting to set the default preference, but I've never heard of one.

[Barb Binder]

Thanks for checking, Jeff. The "I truly believe Fm didn't used to switch types" means I was pretty sure, but not 100% sure! Either the switch happened earlier than I remember, or I'm more senstive to the additional clicks as I get older and it has clouded my memory.

At any rate, this is where I want it to default to paragraphs, as per Mike's original post.

Now Mike, I may have taken you completely off course from what you were asking us. Is this the situation you were in that prompted the question? Or was it happening elsewhere? In my experience, FrameMaker defaults to paragraphs for a new cross reference, unless the last one you created was a marker in that session. If you exit and return, it defaults to paragraph again.

~Barb

[Mattapan Mike]

I think it does Barb. Thank you.
[PII info removed by moderator]

[Barb Binder]

Good! Glad I didn't pull you off track.

If you want to post this on tracker, I will gladly vote for it. Go ahead and link to this thread, since it includes the clip that demos the exact scenario. And then please post the tracker link here. 

~Barb