Pathagoras Tip of the Week

Document Assembly Tips: Select Document by Answering Question.

Many users have asked if there is a way to automatically insert a document based on the answer to a question or choice posed to the user.

 

And the answer is "Yes".

You should first be aware that Pathagoras can 'process' anything within plain-text double angle brackets.

If the text is not an <<*Options/Optional/Repeats*>> block, Pathagoras will view the text between double angle brackets as a document name. When that name is encountered during a document assembly session, Pathagoras will handle that encounter as a request to insert that document in place of the name.

 

You should set up an Options text block with the questions presented in the administrative* section of the block, and a reference to a document in the substantive* section.

If you are using the prefix/suffix naming style for your documents, you need only reference the term name. Otherwise, you must include a full file address OR have stored the file in the SuperFolder.

Here are some examples:

• Prefix/Suffix style:
  (The below clauses actually exist. You can copy and paste this sample and 'Process' it):

<<*Options*Fixed Price Contract/Cost Plus Contract*<<cntr120>>/<<cntr130>>>>

• Clause in SuperFolder
  <<*Options*Fixed Price Contract/Cost Plus Contract*<<Fixed Price>>/<<Cost Plus>>

• Full Document Reference:
  <<*Options*Fixed Price Contract/Cost Plus Contract*<<c:\my documents\contract clauses\Fixed Price.doc>>/<<c:\my documents\contract clauses\Cost Plus.doc>>

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(*The 'administrative section' of an <<*Options*>> block is that section of the text block that precedes the final asterisk. Everything else is substantive.)