[Framers] A bizarre cross-reference issue

[Lynne A. Price]

Craig,

     Won't help with the definition of cross-reference formats, but in 
running text, you can apply two character formats easily in a structured 
document--one element inside another, each applying character 
properties. Both element tags survive.

     --Lynne

On 4/23/2021 8:08 AM, Craig Ede wrote:
> Rick’s suggestion highlights one of the pitfalls of FrameMaker’s tagging system. If you overlay a character tag with another character tag, you may get a mix of characteristics in the text depending on the settings for each of the character tags. Anything left “As Is” in the second applied tag will retain the earlier tag’s setting (if it differs from the paragraph settings). However, if you search on the first char tag name, FM will not find it in any text where another char tag has overlaid it, so you lost the ability to search effectively for a tag. You’re then stuck with modifying such text by doing a search for character tag overrides.
>
> Much better to foresee what combinations of characteristics might occur and create separate ‘combo tags’ that do all the things you might want done to the text. Just remember to have a template usage guide that gives your writers this info so that they don’t subvert the intent by just overlaying two tags.

-- 
Lynne A. Price
Text Structure Consulting, Inc.
Specializing in structured FrameMaker consulting, application development, and training
lprice at txstruct.com            http://www.txstruct.com
voice/fax: (510) 583-1505      cell phone: (510) 421-2284