Automated way to import formats?

[Fred Ridder]

Assuming that you are using FrameMaker 6.0 or later, you can import the variables and conditional text settings (or any other set of formatting properties) from a template or settings file into all the component files in a book in a single operation. Just select all the files in the book window and then invoke the File>Import>Formats command. FrameMaker will "silently" open, update, save and close each component file that is not already open; any files that are already open will be updated but not saved or closed. 

The one gotcha is that all the files must open without any warning messages, such as an unresolved cross-references warning or an unavailable fonts message. Any such messages cause the silent open to fail so the book-level import operation will fail at that point. The workaround is to open all the files first (hold down shift when you select the File menu and all the single-file commands are transformed to "all files in book" commands) so that you can dismiss any warning messages. Then perform the book-level import, then use Shift+File>Save All Files in Book and Shift+File>Close All Files in Book.

But if you're still using FM5.5.6 (possible since you say you're still using the Solaris version), you're basically SOL unless you want to do some scripting.
-Fred Ridder


> From: billcour at sonic.net
> To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
> Subject: Automated way to import formats?
> Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:58:51 -0700
> 
> I have some books that share most of their content. With variables and 
> conditional text, I could probably make managing the files tolerable. 
> But it would be more tolerable with scripts or other software that 
> could do something like this:
> 
> - Open the "Settings" file for one book variant.
> This file contains appropriate variable and conditional text 
> settings.
> - For each file in the book:
> - Open the file in Frame
> - Import Formats (Variables, Conditional Text Settings) from 
> Settings file.
> - Save and close.
> 
> Is there a way to do this? I have both Windows and Solaris FrameMakers.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Bill