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D
Dustin Fleming
Inspiring
July 29, 2020
Answered

TOC, LOF, and LOT formatting

  • July 29, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 4833 views

I am constantly struggling to get my TOC, LOF, and LOT to format the way I'd like from project to project. I have had the most success with importing the formatting from a previous file that has the look I am after. (attached file) When I import the format of the desired TOC I still have to reformat the "Title" above the TOC entries and sometimes I have to reformat the tabstops and the <$paranum>-<$paratext> tabstop<$chapnum>-<$pagenem> I have tried saving as a template but I do not think I am doing it correctly as I have yet to make a "plug and play" TOC, LOF, or LOT. Any tips on how to do this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Correct answer LinSims

Do you have a TOC that does exactly what you want? If so:

 

  1. Copy the good TOC file to a template directory and rename it TOC.fm.
  2. Delete the text content in the file but leave the master pages, reference pages, and all catalogs intact. Save the file.
  3. Create a new book for your new document and copy the name. For example, if the book file is named StartingWithFrameMaker.book, copy "StartingWithFrameMaker".
  4. Copy the TOC.fm file to the directory that contains the StartingWithFrameMaker.book file.
  5. Rename the TOC.fm file to StartingWithFrameMakerTOC.fm. DO NOT ADD StartingWithFrameMakerTOC.fm to the StartingWithFrameMaker.book.
  6. In the StartingWithFrameMaker.book file, add a new standalone TOC
    1. Click Insert > Create TOC
    2. Select the paragraph tags you want included in the TOC; do not select paragraph tags that end with TOC
    3. Generate the TOC.

FrameMaker will generate the new TOC and save it in the file you created (StartingWithFrameMakerTOC.fm).

4 replies

Barb Binder
Barb Binder
Community Expert
August 3, 2020

I like your video, David. 😊

 

I've also got the instructions on my blog, Dustin, along with links to related posts that may be helpful down the road:

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/reusing-a-framemaker-toc-or-index/

 

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    M
    Mandy5E74
    New Participant
    May 2, 2022

    Hi Barb.  Your site is blocked on both my work network and my personal mobile network. 

    S
    shalomb61686619
    Inspiring
    May 2, 2022

    It blocks me as well.

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    August 3, 2020

    Sorry for the delay--it sounds as if you have this under control but here is a short video on reusing generated files:

    https://youtu.be/ZsIBhfibsRg

     

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
      D
      Dustin FlemingAuthor
      Inspiring
      August 7, 2020

      From what I can see in the video I am doing what you demonstrate but the "templates" are still not being picked up by FM when I generate the TOC, LOF, and LOT it has none of the formatting.  I am not sure what I am missing as your video was simple enough to follow. 

      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      August 7, 2020

      How did you add the files to your FM Book?

       

      Also, are the Tag/Styles names EXACTLY the same? If the style names are different, you will have to re-format the styles on the reference page.

      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
      LinSims
      LinSims
      Community Expert
      July 29, 2020

      Can confirm that what IDEAS-Training suggests works well. I keep a blank file in my templates folder I call TOC.fm with my layouts, reference pages, and tags all set up the way I want them. When I create a new book, I copy the TOC.fm file over to the new location and rename it as he suggests. 

        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Community Expert
        July 29, 2020

        Rather than importing, try copying the "templates" to another book. After you make copies, you need to:

        1. Rename the files based on the book name at the desktop--not in the book. (Place the files in the same folder as the book file.) For example, if the book name is "MyNewManual.book", your TOC would be named "MyNewManualTOC.fm." Same for the LOT and LOF files. 
        2. Back in FrameMaker, do not add the renamed TOC, LOT, LOF files into the book--you must generate them (as if the first time). If the files are named correctly, the newly generated files will be created using the formats from the files in the folder. 
        David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        D
        Dustin FlemingAuthor
        Inspiring
        July 29, 2020

        I am not sure I follow 100% do you know of a video tutorial or something that I can see the process step by step? I am sure what you are suggesting will work well I am just confused about how you are describing the technique used to accomplish this. Thank you for your answer and your patience to try to explain this.  

        LinSims
        LinSimsCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        July 29, 2020

        Do you have a TOC that does exactly what you want? If so:

         

        1. Copy the good TOC file to a template directory and rename it TOC.fm.
        2. Delete the text content in the file but leave the master pages, reference pages, and all catalogs intact. Save the file.
        3. Create a new book for your new document and copy the name. For example, if the book file is named StartingWithFrameMaker.book, copy "StartingWithFrameMaker".
        4. Copy the TOC.fm file to the directory that contains the StartingWithFrameMaker.book file.
        5. Rename the TOC.fm file to StartingWithFrameMakerTOC.fm. DO NOT ADD StartingWithFrameMakerTOC.fm to the StartingWithFrameMaker.book.
        6. In the StartingWithFrameMaker.book file, add a new standalone TOC
          1. Click Insert > Create TOC
          2. Select the paragraph tags you want included in the TOC; do not select paragraph tags that end with TOC
          3. Generate the TOC.

        FrameMaker will generate the new TOC and save it in the file you created (StartingWithFrameMakerTOC.fm).

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