DOC1 Designer Tips and Tricks

Chris Reiher
Senior Product Specialist
Group 1 Software
Changing the Sample Data File Associated with a Data Format
Changing the Sample Data File Associated with a Publication
Inserting a Field Definition in Records with Variable Length Field
Casting a String Field as a Date
Accessing a Return Value from Business Logic
Changing the Default Header Size in the Page Setup
5.4 Enhancements Worth Noting
Providing Additional Resources to PCE in 5.3
 with a Data Format
Steps required:
1. Open the Data Format
2. Select from the pulldown menus: Tasks/Change Sample Da
3. Select either “My Resources” (Repository) or
“My Computer” (hard drive etc.)
4. Navigate and select the desired sample data file
5. Hit the Open Button

Important Note: When you select a sample data file from “My
Computer” the file is imported into the Repository without creatin
new Data Format. This is the best method for importing a new s
data file for an existing Data Format.
 with a Publication
Steps required:
1. Open the Publication
2. View the Publication Logic: Right click in the Logic Map and Select
View/Publication from the popup menu
3. Double click on the Publication object to open the Publication dialogue
4. Single click on the Folder to the right of the Sample Data
5. Select either “My Resources” (Repository) or “My Computer” (hard dri
6. Navigate and select the desired sample data file
7. Hit the Open Button
8. Hit the OK Button

Important Note: When you select a sample data file from “My Computer” th
imported into the Repository without creating a new Data Format. This is t
method for importing a new sample data file for an existing Data Format.
 Variable Length Fields
It is possible to insert a new field definition in the middle of variable length
that are already defined on a record.
This is an important technique because fields already defined on the record
remain unchanged. (No changes will be required to existing Publication lo
Steps:
1. Open the Data Format against the Sample Data file that has the new f
that needs to be defined.
2. In the Formatted Data area, right click on the field just before where th
field will be added and select “Add Field” from the popup menu.
3. Enter the required field settings (label, type, etc.).
4. You must manually enter the correct “From” and “To” positions for the
field including the delimiter.
5. You must select the options “Position relative to previous field” and “V
size field” with the correct “Number of characters in field terminator”.
6. Hit the Define button.
7. Save and Issue the Data Format.
8. Update the Data Map and Data Dictionary.
It is possible to change a string field so that it is interpreted as a
• Set a Variable of type Date equal to the string field.
• The string field must be in the short date format of the curren
locale referenced by the Publication.
• Note: The default short date format for the locale “English (U
States of America)” is mm/dd/yyyy.
• You will be able to format the date variable wherever it is
referenced:
• Printed on a Document page
• In a Journal
• In an arithmetic function performing date math
• Etc.
One method of accessing a Business Logic Return Value is to se
Variable equal to it:
• Insert a Set Variable object in the logic.
• Give the variable an appropriate name and make sure the ty
matches the type of the Return Value declared in the Busine
Logic.
• Set the variable equal to Functions/Business Logic.
• Select the required Business Logic
• Resolve all parameters (if parameters are used)
• Hit the Create button (Business Logic)
• Hit the Create button (Set Variable)
The Variable containing the Return Value can be used in a Cond
or printed on a page etc.
 in the Page Setup
Many document designs require pages with different header siz
It is possible to change the header size on a page by page basis
Steps:
1. Open a Publication.
2. Right click in the Logic and select “View Page Setup” from th
popup menu.
3. Add the required conditional logic to the “Default Header” se
4. On each conditional branch of logic insert a “Default Header
object:
• Mark the Insertion Point and select “Insert/Presentation
Objects/Headers and Footers/Default Header Size” from the
pulldown menu.
• Create the object as required.
5. Design each header as required.
Note: A similar technique is available for the Default Footer Size
Dynamic Positioning of Fixed Anchor Objects
Example: It is now possible to use variables to indicate the X and Y position
Editor Text Box.
Using Multiple Repositories:
• Setup using the Repository Configuration Tool.
• Each Repository must use the same SQL Server.
• Only one Repository may be opened in the Designer at a time.
• Note: It is not possible to copy and paste between Repositories.
A Page Break object may be placed within Table logic.
Note: This dramatically expands the control available within Transaction Ta
Additional font and image resources can be added to a HIP that are not ref
by the Publication being published. Additional resources are specified as p
the Production Job used for the Publish process.
Note: This is extremely useful for making fonts and images available to PC
especially when barcodes are applied to document pages within PCE.
In Versions 5.3 and earlier the best method for making fonts and images, n
referenced by a Publication, available to PCE is by creating a Dummy
Publication/HIP.
This is particularly useful for making barcode fonts available to PCE.
Steps:
1. Create a Publication – Do not associate a Data Map or Sample Data f
the Publication.
2. In the Document logic manually place on the page one occurrence of
font and image that needs to be available to PCE. Use Constants to r
Barcode objects.
3. Save, Issue, and Publish the Publication being certain to select the
appropriate Output Device(s).
4. Reference the Dummy HIP and all other required HIPs in the PCE INI
the section and keyword(s):
<Files>
HIP=*.HIP ;wildcards may be used to specify the filename

5. Execute the following statement in the PCE script before any page is r
from an input file:
GET RESOURCES FROM HIP;
Questions and Answers