User:Lorinda/In-Progress

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Using Fields Without Data Sources

Sometimes you want to insert data such as name, address, etc. into a standard document without resorting to a data source. This article describes how to do so, using some of the many field types available in NeoOffice Writer.

1 Predefined Fields
2 Document Specific Fields
3 User Fields
4 Input Fields
5 Formatting Fields
- 5.1 Concerning Date Fields
6 Conditional Fields
7 Related Links
8 Related External Links

Predefined Fields

NeoOffice includes several pre-defined fields that can be easily entered into any document. These include: date, time, page number, and page count. To insert these fields:

Click at the spot where you want the field inserted
Go to the Insert menu and choose Fields
Select the field type you want to insert

-->The field is inserted

Document Specific Fields

NeoOffice also includes some fields that make use of information from the Properties window. (You can set the document properties by going to the File menu and choosing Properties....) Three of these fields are available directly from the menu bar by choosing the Insert menu and then Fields, following the instructions above.

More fields related to document properties are available by doing the following:

Click at the spot where you want the field inserted
Go to the Insert menu and choose Fields
Choose Other...

-->The Fields window opens

Click on the Document or DocInformation tab near the top of the menu.

Which tab you need will depend on which field you want to insert.

Select the type of field you want from the Type column.
If necessary, choose the specific field from the Select column.
If needed, select the desired format from the Format column.

N.B. Not all the fields available in these two tabs are from the Document Properties window. Some of the fields in these two tabs are discussed elsewhere in this wiki. See Related Links below.

User Fields

You can also insert User-defined fields. To do so;

Under the Insert Menu, choose Fields and then Other...
Click on the Variables tab
Select User Field in the Type column
Choose the desired field format in the Format column
- -->Note that Additional formats... opens a dialog box allowing you to choose other formats, include date formats.
Enter a Name for the field in the appropriate box
- -->Note that there cannot by any spaces in the field name.
Click on the green check symbol to create (but not insert) the field
- -->To delete a field from the list, select it in the Selection and click on the red x.
To insert the field at the cursor point, click on the Insert
- -->If you want the field contents to be hidden in the document, check the Invisible box before clicking Insert.
Create as many fields as needed, then click Close

Input Fields

Input fields are special fields tied to another field type. When a new document is created from a template, the user will be asked to fill in the values for all the input fields. To use Input Fields:

Create User Fields as described above

Note that Input Fields can also relate to Set Variables

While the Fields is still open, select InputField in the Type column.
Choose the User Field (or Variable) to which the Input Field is to be linked
Enter a description in the Reference box. This is the prompt that will be shown when a user is asked to provide the value for this field.
Make sure the cursor is where you want the input field to appear (usually the first place the User Field or Variable in question needs to occur in the document)
Click on OK
Thereafter in the document, insert a "plain" User Field or Variable for that field. Whenever the Insert Field is updated, the related User Fields (or Variables) will be updated, too.

N.B. Due to an OpenOffice.org bug, Input Fields relating to User Fields defined as dates will not retain the correct date or formatting. It will also corrupt any related User Fields inserted in the document. Therefore do not use Input Fields with User Fields defined as dates. User Fields defined as dates work correctly as long as you do not insert a related Input Field in the document.

Formatting Fields

To format the way a field appears in your document, right-click or control-click on the field and choose Fields... from the contextual menu. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to modify the appearance of the field.

Concerning Date Fields

In the Edit Fields window for Date fields, you will have a choice between Date (fixed) and Date. Date (fixed) will insert today's date, or a date with a specified offset from today. That date will remain fixed, regardless of when the document is opened. Date will insert a date that is updated each time the document is opened.

Conditional Fields

Conditional fields let you specify one of two values or text strings to use in a document, depending on the value of a related Variable. For example, a pastor might have a funeral liturgy with conditional fields inserted to supply the correct pronoun, depending on the gender of the deceased.

Setting the Variable

The first thing you need to do is define and set the variable to be used in the condition.

Under the Insert menu, choose Fields and then Other (Or simply press Command-F2)
Click on the Variables tab and choose Set Variable.
Type a name for the variable in the Name box and a value in the Name box
If you don't want the variable to be visible, you may check the Invisble box.
Click Insert

Creating an Input Field (Optional)

If desired, you may insert an Input field tied to this variable, so that users are asked for the value of the variable when a new document is created based on this template. Use the method specified in the #Input Fields section above. Once you have created and inserted the Input field for your variable, you may delete the "plain" variable field from the document. (But be sure to leave the input field in the document).

Creating the Conditional Field

Make sure the cursor is place where you what the conditional field to appear.
Under the Insert menu, choose Fields and then Other...
Click on the Functions tab
Click on Conditional text in the Type column
Type the condition in the Condition box. For example: Gender=="Male"

-->For a guide to condition syntax, go to the Help menu, choose NeoOffice Help and type Conditions and Variables into the Search Term box.

In the Then box, enter the value you want if the condition is true. For example: he
In the Else box, enter, the value you want if the condition is false. For example: she
Click Insert

-<!--This page is for Wiki articles/paragraphs I'm working on.-->
+Using Fields Without Data Sources
+Sometimes you want to insert data such as name, address, etc. into a standard document without resorting to a data source.  This article describes how to do so, using some of the many field types available in NeoOffice Writer.
-<!--Les styles de page sont une ressource propre Ã  OpenOffice.org et NeoOffice. Ils vous permettent de crÃ©er des maquettes de page dans le style des logiciels de conception de livres (''logiciels'' DTP) de maniÃ¨re Ã  pouvoir configurer et employer divers types de page dans un document, indÃ©pendamment du contenu de celui-ci. Les Ã©lÃ©ments personnalisables dans chaque style de page sont les suivants :
+==Predefined Fields==
-*Format
+NeoOffice includes several pre-defined fields that can be easily entered into any document.  These include:  date, time, page number, and page count.  To insert these fields:
-*Orientation
+*Click at the spot where you want the field inserted
-*Marges
+*Go to the {{Menu|Insert}} menu and choose {{Menu|Fields}}
-*Couleur d'arriÃ¨re-plan
+*Select the field type you want to insert
-*En-tÃªte
+-->The field is inserted
-*Pied de page
+<br>
-*Bordure
-*Colonnes-->
-Page styles are one of OpenOffice.org and NeoOffice's resources.  They allow you to create page models like those created by desktop programming software.  You can configure and use a variety of page types in a document, independent of its content.  The following page style elements are customizable:
+==Document Specific Fields==
-*Format
+NeoOffice also includes some fields that make use of information from the {{Window|Properties}} window.  (You can set the document properties by going to the {{Menu|File}} menu and choosing {{Menu|Properties...}}.) Three of these fields are available directly from the menu bar by choosing the {{Menu|Insert}} menu and then {{Menu|Fields}}, following the instructions above.
-*Orientation
-*Margins
-*Background color
-*Header
-*Footer
-*Border
-*Columns
-<!--==Comment crÃ©er un style de page==
+More fields related to document properties are available by doing the following:
-Tout d'abord assurez-vous de garder ouverte la fenÃªtre de '''Styles et formatage''' (pressez les touches  Ctrl+F11).
+*Click at the spot where you want the field inserted
-Ensuite vous avez deux possibilitÃ©s :
+*Go to the {{Menu|Insert}} menu and choose {{Menu|Fields}}
+*Choose {{Menu|Other...}}
+:-->The {{Window|Fields}} window opens
+*Click on the {{Section|Document}} or {{Section|DocInformation}} tab near the top of the menu.
+:''Which tab you need will depend on which field you want to insert.''
+*Select the type of field you want from the {{Section|Type}} column.
+*If necessary, choose the specific field from the {{Section|Select}} column.
+*If needed, select the desired format from the {{Section|Format}} column.
-La premiÃ¨re consiste Ã  rÃ©gler sÃ©parÃ©ment le format des Ã©lÃ©ments d'une page et ensuite Ã  cliquer sur l'icÃ´ne de '''Styles de page''' (la quatriÃ¨me Ã  partir de la gauche). Une fois que la liste de styles de page apparait, cliquez sur l'icÃ´ne qui montre une feuille avec une petite croix verte, et cliquez sur '''Nouveau style Ã  partir de la sÃ©lection'''. Donnez au style le nom que vous dÃ©sirez dans la fenÃªtre qui apparait et cliquez sur  '''OK'''.
+''N.B. Not all the fields available in these two tabs are from the {{Window|Document Properties}} window.  Some of the fields in these two tabs are discussed elsewhere in this wiki.  See [[#Related Links|Related Links]] below. ''
+<br>
-La seconde consiste Ã  crÃ©er le style de page directement dans la fenÃªtre '''Styles et formatage'''. Cliquez sur la liste de styles de page et faites un clic droit ou Ctrl-clic. Choisissez l'option '''Nouveau...''' du menu contextuel qui apparait. Ensuite indiquez la configuration que vous dÃ©sirez dans les divers onglets qui apparaissent dans la fenÃªtre de format de page. N'oubliez pas dans l'onglet '''GÃ©rer''' de donner un nom au style. Ensuite cliquez sur '''OK'''.
+==User Fields==
-Tenez compte du fait que ces styles de page ne s'appliquent qu'au document que vous avez crÃ©Ã©. Si vous dÃ©sirez disposer de ces styles pour d'autres documents vous devrez crÃ©er un [[Fr:Comment_Ã©diter_les_styles_par_dÃ©faut_et_utiliser_les_modÃ¨les|modÃ¨le]]-->
+You can also insert User-defined fields.  To do so;
-==How to Create a Page Style==
+*Under the {{Menu|Insert}} Menu, choose {{Menu|Fields}} and then {{Menu|Other...}}
-First of all, make sure to keep the "Styles and Formatting" window open.  (Ctrl-F11).  Then you have two options:
+*Click on the {{Section|Variables}} tab
+*Select {{prefName|User Field}} in the {{Section|Type}} column
+*Choose the desired field format in the {{Section|Format}} column
+**-->''Note that {{prefName|Additional formats...}} opens a dialog box allowing you to choose other formats, include date formats.''
+*Enter a {{prefName|Name}} for the field in the appropriate box
+**-->''Note that there cannot by any spaces in the field name.''
+*Click on the green check symbol to create (but not insert) the field
+**-->To delete a field from the list, select it in the {{Section|Selection}} and click on the red x.
+*To insert the field at the cursor point, click on the {{Button|Insert}}
+**-->''If you want the field contents to be hidden in the document, check the {{prefName|Invisible}} box before clicking {{Button|Insert}}.
+*Create as many fields as needed, then click {{Button|Close}}
+<br>
-The first consists of individually setting the format of the page elements and then clicking on the '''Page Styles''' icon. (The fourth from the left).  Once the style list appears, click on the icon that looks like a page with a small green cross, and click on '''New style from selection'''.  Give the style a suitable name in the window which appears and click '''OK'''.
+==Input Fields==
-The second method consists of creating the page style directly in the '''Styles and Formatting''' window.  Click on the list of page styles and right click or Ctrl-clic.  Choose '''New''' from the contextual menu.  In the window that appears, specify the settings you want in the various tabs of the page format window.  Don't forget to give the style a name in the '''Organizer''' tab.  Then click '''OK'''.
+Input fields are special fields tied to another field type.  When a new document is created from a template, the user will be asked to fill in the values for all the input fields.  To use Input Fields:
-Keep in mind that these page styles only apply to the document that you have created.  If you wish to use these styles for other documents, you must create a [[Editing_Default_Styles_and_Using_Templates|template]].
+*Create [[#User Fields|User Fields]] as described above
+::''Note that Input Fields can also relate to Set Variables''
+*While the {{Window|Fields}} is still open, select {{prefName|InputField}} in the {{Section|Type}} column.
+*Choose the User Field (or Variable) to which the Input Field is to be linked
+*Enter a description in the {{prefName|Reference}} box.  This is the prompt that will be shown when a user is asked to provide the value for this field.
+*Make sure the cursor is where you want the input field to appear (usually the first place the User Field or Variable in question needs to occur in the document)
+*Click on {{Button|OK}}
+*Thereafter in the document, insert a "plain" User Field or Variable for that field.  Whenever the Insert Field is updated, the related User Fields (or Variables) will be updated, too.
+<br>
+''N.B. Due to an OpenOffice.org bug, Input Fields relating to User Fields defined as dates will not retain the correct date or formatting.  It will also corrupt any related User Fields inserted in the document.  Therefore do not use Input Fields with User Fields defined as dates.  User Fields defined as dates work correctly as long as you do not insert a related Input Field in the document.
-<!--==Comment modifier les styles de page==
+==Formatting Fields==
+To format the way a field appears in your document, right-click or control-click on the field and choose {{Menu|Fields...}} from the contextual menu.  A dialog box will appear, allowing you to modify the appearance of the field.
+<br>
+===Concerning Date Fields===
+In the {{Window|Edit Fields}} window for Date fields, you will have a choice between Date (fixed) and Date.  Date (fixed) will insert today's date, or a date with a specified offset from today.  That date will remain fixed, regardless of when the document is opened.  Date will insert a date that is updated each time the document is opened.
+<br>
-Une fois crÃ©Ã©s les styles de page vous pouvez toujours modifier leurs Ã©lÃ©ments comme vous le voulez. Il suffit de placer le curseur sur le nom du style de page dans la fenÃªtre '''Styles et formatage''' et de faire un clic droit ou Ctrl-clic. Un menu apparait, choisissez  '''Modifier...''' et ensuite indiquez les changements dans la fenÃªtre qui s'affiche. Puis cliquez sur '''OK''' et les modifications seront prises en compte.
+==Conditional Fields==
-Les changements que vous introduisez s'appliqueront immÃ©diatement aux pages du document qui utilisent le style.-->
+Conditional fields let you specify one of two values or text strings to use in a document, depending on the value of a related Variable.  For example, a pastor might have a funeral liturgy with conditional fields inserted to supply the correct pronoun, depending on the gender of the deceased.
-==How to Modify Page Styles==
+===Setting the Variable===
+The first thing you need to do is define and set the variable to be used in the condition.
+*Under the {{menu|Insert}} menu, choose {{menu|Fields}} and then {{menu|Other}}  (Or simply press {{Key|Command-F2}})
+*Click on the {{section|Variables}} tab and choose {{prefName|Set Variable}}.
+*Type a name for the variable in the {{prefName|Name}} box and a value in the {{prefName|Name}} box
+*If you don't want the variable to be visible, you may check the {{prefName|Invisble}} box.
+*Click {{Button|Insert}}
-Once a page style has been created, you can always modifier its elements as you like.  In the '''Styles and Formatting''' window, right click or Ctrl-click on the style name you want to modify.  When the contextual menu appears, choose '''Modify...''' and then  make the changes in the subsequent window.  Then click on '''OK''' and the modifications will take effect.
+===Creating an Input Field (Optional)===
+If desired, you may insert an Input field tied to this variable, so that users are asked for the value of the variable when a new document is created based on this template.  Use the method specified in the [[#Input Fields]] section above.  Once you have created and inserted the Input field for your variable, you may delete the "plain" variable field from the document.  (But be sure to leave the input field in the document).
-The changes that you make will be immediately applied to the pages of your document which use that style.
+===Creating the Conditional Field===
+*Make sure the cursor is place where you what the conditional field to appear.
+*Under the {{Menu|Insert}} menu, choose {{Menu|Fields}} and then {{Menu|Other...}}
+*Click on the {{Section|Functions}} tab
+*Click on {{prefName|Conditional text}} in the {{Section|Type}} column
+*Type the condition in the {{prefName|Condition}} box.  For example:  Gender=="Male"
+:''-->For a guide to condition syntax, go to the {{Menu|Help}} menu, choose {{Menu|NeoOffice Help}} and type <tt>Conditions and Variables</tt>  into the {{prefName|Search Term}} box.''
+*In the {{prefName|Then}} box, enter the value you want if the condition is true.  For example: he
+*In the {{prefName|Else}} box, enter, the value you want if the condition is false.  For example: she
+*Click {{Button|Insert}}
-<!--==Comment appliquer un style Ã  une page==
+==Related Links==
+:[[How to Add Page Numbers]]
+:[[Cross-references in NeoOffice Writer|References in NeoOffice Writer]]
+:[[Cross-references in a Master Document|References in a Master Document]]
-Il suffit de placer le curseur sur la page Ã  laquelle vous voulez appliquer un autre style et d'ouvrir la fenÃªtre '''Styles et formatage'''. Puis sÃ©lectionnez le style dÃ©sirÃ© et placez le curseur sur l'icÃ´ne montrant une verseuse. Vous n'avez qu'Ã  cliquer sur cette icÃ´ne, et le style de page que vous sÃ©lectionnerez s'appliquera immÃ©diatement Ã  la page oÃ¹ se trouve le curseur.
+==Related External Links==
+[http://trinity.neooffice.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3739&highlight=fields Brief discussion of Input and User Fields at trinity]<br>
+[http://www.oooforum.org/forum/viewtopic.phtml?t=48211&highlight=input+field A thread on Input and User Fields at the OpenOffice.org Forum] (This is the same thread referred to in the trinity link above)<br>
+[http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid39_gci1191662,00.html Skip the User Fields...] An article by Solveig Haugland describing how to use XML Forms instead of Input Fields. Part-way through the article there is a link to a PDF files with instructions for Input Fields.<br>
-De plus la mÃªme chose peut se faire en utilisant la barre d'Ã©tat. La seconde option qui apparait dans la barre d'Ã©tat (de gauche Ã  droite dans la barre par dÃ©faut) indique le style de page de la page oÃ¹ se trouve le curseur. Un double-clic sur cette option fait apparaÃ®tre la fenÃªtre de dialogue qui permet de modifier le style de page. Mais si vous faites un clic droit ou Ctrl-clic la liste de styles de page disponibles apparait, choisissez celui que vous voulez et il s'appliquera immÃ©diatement Ã  la page en question.
+A series of articles on fields by Bruce Byfield:
+:[http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8071 Fielding Questions, Part 1 - The Basics]<br>
-NB: En certaines occasions la modification du style d'une page peut provoquer des changements dans les pages suivantes. Pour Ã©viter cela, vÃ©rifiez les styles en relation avec le style de page que vous utilisez. Cela se fait en plaÃ§ant le curseur  sur le nom du style et faisant un clic-droit ou Ctrl-clic. Choisissez '''Modifier...''' et dans l'onglet '''GÃ©rer''' vÃ©rifiez que le style apparait dans l'option '''style de suite'''. Assurez-vous que s'y trouve le style de page que vous voulez pour les pages suivantes du document que vous Ãªtes en train de formater.
+:[http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8112 Fielding Questions, Part 2 - Cross References and User-Defined Fields]<br>
+:[http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8154 Fielding Questions, Part 3]<br>
-Un autre moyen d'Ã©viter ce problÃ¨me est de placer des sauts de page manuels Ã  la fin de la page ou  du groupe de pages que vous voulez modifier. Pour cela sÃ©lectionnez l'entrÃ©e '''Saut manuel...''' dans le menu '''InsÃ©rer'''. Dans la fenÃªtre qui apparait vous pouvez choisir dans l'option '''style''' celui  que vous aimeriez voir dans la (les) page(s) suivante(s).>>
+:[http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8238 Fielding Questions, Part 4 - Mail Merges]
-==How to Apply a Style to a Page==
-Open the '''Styles and Formatting''' window.  Then choose the desired style, click on the paint can icon, and then click on the page you want the style to apply to.  (You can also double-click on the desired style and the change will take effect without needing to click on the paintcan icon).
-<!--==ThÃ¨mes liÃ©s==
-[[Fr:Comment_Ã©diter_les_styles_par_dÃ©faut_et_utiliser_les_modÃ¨les|Comment Ã©diter les styles par dÃ©faut et utiliser les modÃ¨les]]
-<!--[[Es:CÃ³mo numerar pÃ¡ginas|CÃ³mo numerar pÃ¡ginas]]-->
-{{botlangbarFR|[[Es:CÃ³mo usar estilos de pÃ¡gina|EspaÃ±ol]]}}
-[[Category:NeoOffice]][[Category:Tips and Hints]][[Category:NeoWikiFR]]
--->

User:Lorinda/In-Progress

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Contents

Predefined Fields

Document Specific Fields

User Fields

Input Fields

Formatting Fields

Concerning Date Fields

Conditional Fields

Setting the Variable

Creating an Input Field (Optional)

Creating the Conditional Field

Related Links

Related External Links

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