Problems with spot cross-references

[Warrens_Cambridge]

In FrameMaker 12 I can't get the spot cross-references to work, despite following the Help instructions. I created a cross-reference marker, then created the cross-reference to the marker, but it keeps inserting the entire paragraph and not just the marker words I want.

For example:

1. I added a marker of type Cross-reference to a paragraph in one of my FM files, called "User Management".

2. In another file, I created a cross-reference link to my marker (Special > Cross-reference and source type Cross-reference Markers, then selected my marker)

3. In format type, I select Heading, which has the definition of <$paratext>  as one of the building blocks.

Unfortunately, this procedure then inserts the full paragraph text, not just the marker text I want.

I suspect step 3 is where I am going wrong, but the Help instructions are not specific on Formats/Building blocks to use.

Thanks

Warren

[Bob_Niland]

> ... which has the definition of <$paratext>  as one of the building blocks.

What you (and we) want is a Definition of <$markertext>.

This does not exist yet in FM, although it has been on the wish list since FM4 or so.

Two alternatives are:

• Xref Definition itself contains the literal text desired (one Xref def per instance, only practical for limited numbers of such)
• Run-in para formatting at the target so that <$paratext> picks up just what you want.

[Warrens_Cambridge]

Thanks for the response,

This seems to me to be a pretty fundamental and basic feature to be missing, especially in the context of multi-channel online publication.  I am really surprised its not supported. What if I wanted to add a short description followed by a cross-reference titled "Click here for details".

You can do that easily in Word and with any HTML editor using bookmarks. Why wouldn't FrameMaker support it?

[Arnis Gubins · Accepted solution]

If you want to do that type of cross reference, then using a spot cross-reference will work. Just create a x-ref format that has the "Click here for details" text appropriately formatted and link to the spot-xref.

If you want to link to custom text within the paragraph, then it is more complicated, but it can be done [even though being able to have a $markertext building block would be the best way to go].

1. Create a custom colour that you will use to create "invisible" text. [make it something bright that stands out on the page]
2. Create a paratag for the custm x-ref text and use this custom colour.
3. Using the Color > Views, assign this custom colour to be visible in View 6 and invisible in View 1 (the default).
4. Switch to View 6 (esc v 6) so you can see what you're creating.
5. In the paragaph where you need the custom spot x-ref text, insert an anchored frame with a text frame within it (best to create on the reference page, so that you can cpy & paste as neeed) set to be outside column (but adjust location so that it is sitting on top of the exact location that you want to jump to). Enter the required text using the x-ref paratag.
6. Change back to View 1 to make the x-ref text invisible (esc v 1).
7. You can now make x-ref to this "custom" text. FM still sees the "invisible" content, even though it will never go out when you create output.

[Warrens_Cambridge]

Mmmm.. thanks for the response

I think that would work, but it seems a very complicated and clunky way of doing something that should be simple and straightforward. I think I will simply avoid any special spot references for the moment and stick to just plain cross-references.

I hope that if someone from Adobe is monitoring the Community boards they'll make a note of this. Their technical documentation regarding spot-references is inaccurate and misleading, and their IT support clueless.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Nope, not officially – bring your wish to their attention by going to https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform

[Warrens_Cambridge]

Thanks Jeff

[VikramGaur]

Hello Warrens,

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Spot cross-reference is not supported in Adobe Framemaker, you can only select paragraph for cross-reference.

Thanks,

Vikram Gaur

Adobe Support

[AGIEM]

Hi, I know this is an old post, but the problem still stands even 5 years after. Cross referencing to the text in the marker would be more than useful. Even InDesign has an Anchor Text cross ref, so why not developing this function for FM?

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Log it in the Tracker & publish the number here to attract votes - maybe it will get done some day ;>)

[Bob_Niland]

re: I know this is an old post, but the problem still stands even 5 years after.

More like 20 years, perhaps 25.

For a current project in unstructured Frame, I'm doing it as to-be-invisible run-in word- or phrase-length paras in anchored frames at the target.

I'm told that if using structured Frame, another option might be available.