Smart way to achieve goal in FM

[Art Campbell]

The way I'd deal with it is your table method. The usual way to allow
or force row/table breaks across pages is to use a multi-row single
column table with reasonable size text snippets in each row. Then use
custom ruling to eliminate the inter-row rules so that it appears to
be a single row. Yes, you have to do it manually, but if it's not a
big deal unless you're constantly doing twiddles to the content that
affect the size of the cells.

Art Campbell art.campbell at gmail.com
 "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent
and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson
 No disclaimers apply.
 DoD 358



On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 2:03 PM, Michael O'Neill <moneill at meta-comm.com> wrote:
> OK Folks,
>
> Here's a basic question for the gurus/experts.  I've been using FM for a
> number of years now, but recently I'm trying to do something that I
> haven't done before so I'm not sure of the best way to achieve my
> objective.
>
> Context:
> The document I am authoring from scratch is an entry-level type document
> that deals mostly with system concepts and strategies.  It will link to
> already extant procedures in the online help, installation guides,
> etc...
>
> The document will be delivered as both a stand-alone PDF, and as part of
> a merged help set produced with WWP2003.
>
> Goal:
> One of the things my manager wants is a threaded/running
> "Example/Scenario" section that will appear in various portions of the
> book that will explain the concepts in terms of an actual example.
>
> Basically, this means introducing the Example scenario in the beginning
> of the guide and corresponding sections of text in various and
> subsequent chapters.
>
> I want this content to appear with a light gray background.  How do I do
> this?
>
> Here's what I've thought of:
>
> Inserting a one-cell table with a gray background wherever this type of
> content appears.  Problem (which may have its own solution): The one
> cell table is essentially 1 row, and it doesn't appear that you can
> break a row across a page.
>
> Adding a text frame for this content (from the graphics toolbar).  Seems
> do-able, as I can control the dimensions and background color of the
> text frame.  Only problem is WWP tends to put text frames at the end of
> the chapter and not at the location in which they appear in the FM
> document.
>
> Anyone have a good solution for this?  Like I said, we've never wanted
> to do this type of thing before, so I am likely missing something
> obvious.  I'm not averse to using the help or other references...but my
> searches thus far have been hindered by not knowing a good keyword to
> start with.  Alternatively, am I missing something obvious?  Is there a
> paragraph style for background color that I've managed to miss
> repeatedly?
>
> -Michael
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