RE: Boilerplate text (autotext)

["Stevens, Ananda" <Ananda_Stevens@xxxxxxxx>]

> MS Word has an "autotext" feature ... does FM have something similar?
> We are creating documents where the same text (paragraphs) must show up
> in multiple chapters of the same document ... "autotext" (or similar)
> would solve our problem very nicely.
> Suggestions?

There's a wonderful (and nearly-free) plug-in called Auto-Text that will 
help do what you want. Check out www.kagi.com/SPSoftware/. 

Auto-Text lets you create a Frame file that contains the various pieces 
you want to insert frequently. You can also define keyboard shortcuts
that insert those pieces. The pieces can include plain text, formatted 
text, variables, tables, anchored frames, graphics, etc. 

You might want to combine this approach with text insets, depending on 
how often that text changes and on its length and formatting. 

Possible approaches:

Text insets: Pro: Update its original source, and it updates every
place it's included. Con: Increases number of files. Also, the File>
Import>File> {navigate through directory structure to find file} 
sequence can get tedious, particularly if you forget which file you
are supposed to import and if you have several files for text insets.

Variables: Pro: As text insets, plus slightly quicker insertion. 
Con: Limited to formatted text only; no internal (nested) variables,
no conditional text, etc. Entering long chunks of formatted text into
a variable definition is tedious. You need to make sure everyone uses 
the same variable definitions.

Auto-Text, Pro: inserting the common text is *fast*. You can specify
custom keyboard shortcuts and AutoText Menu item names. 

Auto-Text, with re-used text specified as text in the AutoText.fm file.
Pro: Easy to enter and edit the text. Con: Once the text is entered
into the chapter, it's editable text. So if it changes, you need to 
edit that text throughout your document. 

Auto-Text, with re-used text as a variable. 

Auto-Text, with re-used text included in the AutoText.fm file as a 
text inset.


HTH,
Ananda Stevens
ananda.stevens@windriver.com




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