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Sreekanth_S
Legend
Sep 25, 2012 4:06 AM UTC
Answered

Snippets in FM10 (unstructured)

Hi

I am creating a FM10 template (unstructured). I have some standard paragraphs that the user can insert in multiple places while creating documents based on this template. Now, is it possible to create snippets of these paragraphs?

I am not keen on using variables for this, as the text I intend to reuse will have lot of formatting and may include a logo as well.

Update: I explored Text Inset option as well. Though it serves the purpose of reusing paragraphs with formatting and images, it requires me to create a new file for each (reusable) component. Is there a way I can have all the required components in one file (say MS Word doc file), and extract only a part of it as required? Also, is it is possible to map MS Word styles to FM tags while importing (similar to Robohelp)?

Please advise.

Sreekanth

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    Bob_Niland
    Bob_NilandCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Sep 25, 2012 12:34 PM UTC

    > The snippets can be separate Flows in a single FM file, and imported individually as insets, with or without formatting.

    How this works is:

    Assume the snippets are all to be in a file named boilerplate.fm.

    For each snippet, create a separate disconnected page, using whatever Master Page. This is the one snippet per page model. You can also use a separate text frame for each, with multiple snippets per page.

    Select the text frame.

    Rename Flow: Tag: [A] to a string that uniquely identifies that snippet, such as [Disclaimer].

    Deselect [_] Autoconnect.

    [Set]

    <*> Rename Current Flow Only

    [Rename]

    In the text frame, enter the text snippet.

    In importing documents:

    File > Import > File

    File: boilerplate.fm

    <*> Import by Reference {usually}

    [Import]

    <*> Body Page Flow [Disclaimer]

    Formatting and Updating as you prefer.

    [Import]

    Insets are treated as complete paragraphs, although you can sometimes work around that with run-ins. If you need paragraph fragments, consider Xrefs or Variables.

    View reply

    11 replies

    Arnis Gubins
    Arnis Gubins
    Inspiring
    Sep 25, 2012 6:11 PM UTC

    You could also have a look at the AutoText plug-in (see: http://www.siliconprairiesoftware.com/Products.html).

    Translate
    Sreekanth_SAuthor
    Legend
    Sep 26, 2012 3:00 AM UTC

    Thanks Arnis. Unfortunately, getting anything that involves $$ takes time in my company. But I have bookmarked this site for future references.

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    peter minneapolis
    Participating Frequently
    Sep 26, 2012 3:52 AM UTC

    If it's a major problem for a company to buy a proven and respected $10 productivity tool, IMO there's really a MAJOR PROBLEM at the company. You can try it without buying to test its productivity value in your workflow.

    HTH

    Regards,

    Peter

    _______________________

    Peter Gold

    KnowHow ProServices

    Sreekanth_S wrote:

    Thanks Arnis. Unfortunately, getting anything that involves $$ takes time in my company. But I have bookmarked this site for future references.

    Translate
    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Sep 25, 2012 12:34 PM UTC

    > The snippets can be separate Flows in a single FM file, and imported individually as insets, with or without formatting.

    How this works is:

    Assume the snippets are all to be in a file named boilerplate.fm.

    For each snippet, create a separate disconnected page, using whatever Master Page. This is the one snippet per page model. You can also use a separate text frame for each, with multiple snippets per page.

    Select the text frame.

    Rename Flow: Tag: [A] to a string that uniquely identifies that snippet, such as [Disclaimer].

    Deselect [_] Autoconnect.

    [Set]

    <*> Rename Current Flow Only

    [Rename]

    In the text frame, enter the text snippet.

    In importing documents:

    File > Import > File

    File: boilerplate.fm

    <*> Import by Reference {usually}

    [Import]

    <*> Body Page Flow [Disclaimer]

    Formatting and Updating as you prefer.

    [Import]

    Insets are treated as complete paragraphs, although you can sometimes work around that with run-ins. If you need paragraph fragments, consider Xrefs or Variables.

    Translate
    Sreekanth_SAuthor
    Legend
    Sep 26, 2012 2:54 AM UTC

    This worked perfectly. Thanks a ton.

    Translate
    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Bob_NilandCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 25, 2012 10:55 AM UTC

    > Is there a way I can have all the required components in one file (say MS Word doc file), and extract only a part of it as required?

    Yes, but I would avoid using MS anything.

    The snippets can be separate Flows in a single FM file, and imported individually as insets, with or without formatting.

    They can also be separate paragraphs in a single Flow of an FM file, and merely cross-referenced.

    If they don't require elaborate formatting, they could also be Variables, all defined in a single external FM file, and format-imported.

    We use plaintext files, one per inset.

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