How to create dictionary-style running heads in Framemaker 9?

[lindaw2396]

I have a file of items listed under each STATE heading in alphabetical order. On the left page running head I want the STATE from the previous page and on the right page I want the STATE that appears last on the page. What I'm getting now is:

Left page = first STATE on page (not previous one)

Right page = last STATE on page (this is fine)

What I have to do as a "work around" is to override the master page elements and type in the state name that I want.

Is there special coding to use to indicate what I want to do?

[Arnis Gubins · Accepted solution]

If FM satisfies the criteria on the current page, then it won't look any further back in the document. If there is a STATE paratag on the Left page, then FM must use the conent from that one.

You could try using the running h/f variables (<$marker1> and <$marker2>) to manually add the content to be picked up. Use the marker1 for the before state and the marker2 for the current. Then reset each of these at next "new" state.

[lindaw2396]

Thank you! In a small file I can insert the markers manually. But for the project I'm working on, I will have our programmer wrap .mif coding around each listing that includes the state that each item is listed under, then the left running head will automatically pull the left running head from the first marker, and the right running head will pick from the last STATE tag on the page as I had it before. Thanks again!