Editing only one variable in footer

[Mark29369220ykhi]

Hello. 

Is there a way to edit just one variable in a multi-chapter book's footer? 

I only need to change the date, but if I "Import Variables" all my variables change to the source master page. 

Thank you .

[Bob_Niland]

Can you clarify; do you need to:
a.  change the definition of a header/footer Variable
b.  rename a header/footer Variable
c.  replace an existing h/f Variable with a different Variable
d.  …or have some other problem?

a&b. can be done in the Variables palette.
c. requires revising all affected Master Pages

[Mark29369220ykhi]

I need to change one variable definition. Fom Sep 10/24 to Nov 15/24. 

[Bob_Niland]

That screenshot is from the Variables dialog.
If you use the 🖉 function of that penel to edit it, that will change it across the entire .fm file.

Or do you need to do this across a book?

[Mark29369220ykhi]

Yes, I need to change it for the entire 155 chapter book. 

[Bob_Niland · Accepted solution]

Then importing from a MIF snippet, as suggested by Matt, is the quick hack.

For my own projects, I create a template.fm that contains all the layouts, formats & variables used in the project, along with why-for narrative and work flow steps. Any Variable revisions are done in that, then imported to the book files. This of course updates everything, but if any other changes happen, they needed to.

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

Agreeing completely with Bob on this...a template-based workflow is the best way to manage a myriad of things with your project. The investment in time quickly pays off in quality of presentation as well as ease of management.

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can create a MIF snippet of the variable and then import that MIF file into your book, changing only the one variable.

Roughly,

• Save as MIF
• trim down the resulting text file
• open back into FrameMaker
• import only the variables

The exact scenario is written up in the MIF appendix in FrameMaker - Working with Content

[Winfried Reng]

Hi,

I had used these MIF snippets myself, and as far as I remember you can import a MIF snippet only in a single file and not in a book file.

You have to import the variables from this file into all other files of the book.

Best regards, Winfried

[frameexpert · Accepted solution]

I have this unreleased script that I use for my own production work. Please contact me offlist if you want to try it. Thanks.

[Winfried Reng · Accepted solution]

Klaus Göbel has also a script to import specific variables into selected files:

https://4xscripts.com/en/scripts/importselectedvariables