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ericCessna
Inspiring
October 16, 2022
Answered

Saved Date Variable

  • October 16, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 579 views

I have an issue with editing and saving files, then remembering which file were changed. Ihave several manuals that are updated regularly. They all have several chapters in them.Not all chapters are updated. I want to add a variable that will post the date saved on the bottom. As updates are made and the chapter is saved, the date will show when, or if that chapter was updated.

 

Any ideas would be helpful. 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Bob_Niland

    There are two System Variables that might be used for this task:
    Modification Date (Long)
    Modification Date (Short)
    |It appears that they can be used on Body/Master/Reference pages, and they can be altered for formatting.

     

    The trick might be to avoid having anything else in the document that gets detected as a modification, thus auto-updating the M.D. vars. This might include use of the Current Date vars anywhere, and perhaps Text Insets. An indicator of such is that the doc's tab shows Myfile.fm* on open.

    3 replies

    E
    ericCessnaAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 24, 2022

    I appriate all the information. The Modification date updates everytime I open the file. If I don't change aything I still show an update. I think I will keep the revissions on a seperate log.

     

    Thanks again.

    K.Daube
    K.Daube
    Braniac
    October 24, 2022

    IMHO the Modification Date update only if you save the opened file. Close it without save to avoid this.

      E
      ericCessnaAuthor
      Inspiring
      October 24, 2022

      I didn't know that, thank you

      B
      Barb Binder
      Braniac
      October 16, 2022

      I second Bob's answer—use one of the two modification date variables. You might decide to remove them before distributing the final version of the document, but they are very useful for your specific workflow. 

       

      ~Barb

      Bob_Niland
      Bob_Niland
      Braniac
      October 17, 2022

      I routinely include either the current or mod date in the header or footer of my documents, assigned a color (Timestamp), controlled by Color Views: on for authoring & review drafts, off for publishing workflows.

      I also routinely edit these System Vars to use ISO 8601 format so as to be concise, unambiguous and as international as possible.

        B
        Barb Binder
        Braniac
        October 18, 2022

        That's a great workflow! I haven't enabled/disabled color views since we all went to color displays, but this is the perfect use, Bob.

         

        ~Barb

        Bob_Niland
        Bob_NilandCorrect answer
        Braniac
        October 16, 2022

        There are two System Variables that might be used for this task:
        Modification Date (Long)
        Modification Date (Short)
        |It appears that they can be used on Body/Master/Reference pages, and they can be altered for formatting.

         

        The trick might be to avoid having anything else in the document that gets detected as a modification, thus auto-updating the M.D. vars. This might include use of the Current Date vars anywhere, and perhaps Text Insets. An indicator of such is that the doc's tab shows Myfile.fm* on open.

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